Nurse Betty visits from East Timor to help improve people's eye sight

16 Aug 2018

Betty, who is the Theatre Nurse Manager at the National Eye Centre in Dili, said currently only basic eye surgery is performed locally in East Timor and more complex eye surgery is undertaken by visiting ophthalmologists from Australia and other countries.

“Soon we will have our first group of ophthalmologists trained in Timor who will be able to undertake vitro retinal surgery which is used to treat eye problems involving the retina, macula and vitreous fluid, such as retinal detachment, macular hole and complications related to diabetic retinopathy,” Betty said.

“My visit to Perth hospitals is enabling me to observe vitro retinal surgery first-hand and learn how to use related medical equipment.

“We are very fortunate to have doctors come from Australia and Nepal every three to six months to provide complex eye surgery, however, it also means patients have to wait for their surgery.

“Thanks to the support and guidance of the visiting doctors our local ophthalmologists will soon be able to undertake emergency eye surgery so the local community does not have to wait for their procedure and risk their condition deteriorating.”

Betty spent a day at St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals shadowing Ophthalmologist Dr Ross Littlewood.

Dr Littlewood received the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) earlier this year for his dedication to restoring eyesight to people in Timor-Leste and his contribution to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Dr Littlewood along with a team of professionals undertake one or two visits a year to Timor to perform cataract surgery on local residents, especially in remote and rural areas.

Over the past few years Dr Littlewood has played a pivotal role in developing the curriculum for Timor’s first ophthalmology diploma, so locals can be trained in the profession.

The first round of students recently passed their diplomas in Timor and have become the first groups of locals to undertake eye surgery and later train the next generation of Timorese in ophthalmology.

St John of God Health Care has had a long-term commitment with improving the health needs of Timorese and developing the knowledge, skills and capability of local clinicians.

 Betty visited several hospital and health services during her Perth visit to help build her knowledge and experience.