On our orientation day before going to Accra, Georgina Howson, our intern supervisor said to me, ‘You never know, after going to Ghana you might want to become an opthalmologist.’  At the time, I was interested in studying medicine but had never considered the possibility of becoming an opthalmologist.

While in Accra I was able to experience first hand the importance and impact of ORBIS’s work.  Not only do they restore the sight and improve the lives of patients, they also train many local staff such as doctors, nurses, and biomedical engineers.  This allows the local professionals to become self-sufficient once the Flying Eye Hospital has left.

As an intern, I was able to be involved in the screening of patients as well as being able to observe the sight-saving, and at times, life-saving operations, both in the lecture theatre and in the Operating Room.  After initially seeing the patients on the screening day, it was extremely satisfying and emotional to see them after the operation that had restored their sight.  I also had hands-on experience suturing in the wet-lab and was able to test my dexterity on the Eye Simulator.

As a result of my week in Accra, as part of the Flying Eye Hospital Team, I am truly inspired by the work ORBIS does and the impact it has on many lives in the developing world.  It has given me a realistic insight into the life of being a doctor and I have been able to experience first hand the emotion and satisfaction of being part of such a rewarding profession.

I am extremely grateful to the ACS Foundation and ORBIS for allowing me to take part in this life-changing experience.  I have been inspired by ORBIS’s work and am actively fundraising to help raise £1,500 to build and equip an eye clinic in India.  In October, I held a Bake Sale for World Sight Day and raised £360.  I also put together an ORBIS Bake Sale Recipe Book which went on sale just before Christmas.  I also have a fundraising page on www.orbis.org.uk/catriona where you can help ORBIS achieve its goal of eliminating all unnecessary blindness by the year 2020