2,500 surgeries for eye diseases carried out in the past 10 years

2,500 successful surgeries for the treatment of cataracts and eye pterygium diseases have been carried out in the past 10 years by the Fiji Blind Society in partnership with the Taveuni Rotary and Hawaii eye surgeons.

A pterygium is a pinkish, triangular tissue growth on the cornea of the eye. It typically starts on the cornea near the nose.

Cataract is an opacity or clouding of the lens of the eye that causes it to lose its transparency and scatter light.

While speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Fiji Blind Society in Vatuwaqa this afternoon, Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama told the students and the people present at the event that Fiji cannot afford to forgo the talents of any person who is willing to offer them.

He says it would be immoral to leave anyone behind.

There are currently 350 students attending Fiji School for the Blind.

27 students who have attended the school are pursuing tertiary education of which 13 are at USP and 10 are at FNU.

10 students have earned a university degree in the past 10 years and are currently employed in government and private businesses.

The celebration started with the students, members, teachers and other guests singling the national anthem followed by songs by the students.

Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar and the Prime Minister joined the students in cutting the cake and handed out gifts to the students during the celebration.