In addition to these infectious diseases, inhabitants of the Amazon Basin also suffer from eye problems. Pterygium, cataract, and glaucoma are diseases of the eye that, if untreated, lead to blindness. Pterygium is a disease that affects the conjunctiva of the eye resulting in an abnormal membrane growth that eventually will cover the pupil and thus lead to blindness. It is possible to restore the eyesight in patients with pterygium, by surgical removal of the membrane. In contrast, blindness from glaucoma cannot be reversed.
Good vision is an essential part of everyday life, particularly in the computer age.
Industrial pollution such as mercury poisoning poses another health threat to the population living along the Amazon. Mercury is used in the process of gold mining. A hull clearance of only 3 meters below sea level allows the U18 and U19 ships to navigate in shallow waters, such as found on the many side arms of the Amazon River. With a crew of 40 sailors and 13 physicians we were to embark on an health mission navigating down the Amazon River and providing health services to the local river population. Our goal was to assess the health needs of this population, provide health care, and surgically restore eyesight among the blind.