MEDICUS FEBRUARY 2016

O N T H E R O A D

Helping hands: (from left) Outback Vision Fellow Dr Chathri Amaratunge carries out an eye check; Dr Kitty Shakur with a patient and Optometrist Stephen Copeland with patient Kim Timms in the Warmun clinic.

Early on Monday, Angus and Cheryl head to theatre. Stephen flies on to Punmu, where he will conduct optometry consults. The rest of the team prepare for the outpatient clinic, where we find several diabetic patients requiring immediate treatment, with either laser or anti- VEGF injections. Diabetic-related eye pathology is a large component of the disease burden, and as well as eye examinations, we spend time educating patients further on the basics such as good diet, exercise and tight blood sugar control.

During those two busy days in Port Hedland, 61 patients are seen in clinic and 20 operations are performed in theatre. We are packed early the next day for the drive to the clinic at Mawarnkarra Health Service, Roebourne, before heading onto Karratha where more than 80 patients are expected. At Nickol Bay Hospital, diabetic eye pathology and cataracts are again the predominant presentations. Local slit lamps and laser equipment allow treatment of conditions such as

posterior capsular opacification and diabetic retinopathy immediately, often saving patients a journey to Perth. It is this prompt local delivery of a high-quality specialty health service that strikes me as the centrepiece of Outback Vision’s effort. After five fast, full days of travel and work, I have to admire the energy and zeal of the team. Heading home to Perth, I ask about each person’s weekend plans. Angus will be busy at LEI’s open day and with another speaking engagement. Chathri will be catching up on paper work from “the last three trips”, Kitty at a wedding and Stephen, defending his honour at Onslow Park Tennis Club. I’m inspired yet looking forward to a rest, but as Angus reminds me – for remote eye health, there is still plenty of work to be done. Dr Jehan De Soyza is currently an RMO at Royal Perth Hospital. Outback Vision’s Pilbara outreach trip was funded by Rural Health West. ■ References: ¹Australian Bureau of Statistics 2007, Regional Population Growth, Australia, 1996 to 2006, cat. no. 3218.0, ABS, Canberra.

Team bonding: Pilbara Diabetic Health Coordinator Alex Ramirez (front) presenting the book commemorating the 30 th anniversary of the LEI – Saving Sight: 20 years of the Lions Eye Institute 1983-2013 – to the Wirraka Maya Chronic Disease Team .

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