Week 2- Kino at the eye doctor

8-22-12

    “You don’t even know what you don’t know”- Corine D

    As a nurse, I feel pretty confident about my ability to navigate the hospital and advocate for patients.  But, I don't even pretend to understand the Swazi healthcare system. 
     We had paid about $20 for an appointment with the eye doctor for Kino.  We had a 9:30 am appointment with the South African doctor who had done his eye surgery 5 years ago.  We thought a 9:30 appt meant 9:30 am.  We were directed to the receptionist to pay but the line or cue seemed to be moving ahead of us.  We weren’t really sure of what we had paid for, but we knew we should have gotten there much earlier than 9:30 am.  Eventually, we were instructed to climb the somewhat steep stairs- this is a hospital that serves visually impaired folks.  On the upper level we waited some more before we were taken with Kino into a room.  The South African doctor was gentle and kind with Kino, not a guarantee in the Swazi Medical system, and he spoke fluent Siswati.  He restated that surgery had been performed on Kino at 7 years and that the boy was then lost to follow-up.  Glacoma and lazy eye are common complications of the type of surgery Kino had.  Kino has a lazy eye that might have been fixed with patching or further treatment at a younger age.  Mostly the eye doctor was pleased with how the eyes looked post-surgery and with the extent of Kino’s vision.  The doctor recommended glasses for nearsidedness and annual follow-up.  We will have to get the glasses two hours away in Manzini; another 3 hour trip and overnight stay.  Corine pointed out the costs of petrol (gas), and an overnight stay are very difficult for families but seldom considered by medical staff.