A mature cataract is revealed after dilating a patient's eye. Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

Blinded for years by cataracts, King Zom (79) sits with her husband at home in Gucho. Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

Choki (60) is led through the hospital grounds, some 100km from Mount Everest, for her first operation. Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

Dr. Sanduk Ruit stops on the way to Gucho to examine two women, including Choki, who has traveled the 120km from her village by horse and cart for an eye operation. Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

A Tibetan eye surgeon, trained by Dr. Sanduk Ruit, performs modern intra-ocular cataract surgery. Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

An intra-ocular lens is implanted. Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

Intense ultra-violet radiation at high altitudes in Tibet sears the lenses of the eyes, causing cloudy cataracts and eventual blindness. About 30,000 people in Tibet are believed to have lost their sight as a result of cataracts. Among those over 50, the problem is endemic. Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal is introducing a treatment that not only removes the cataract, but replaces the ruined natural lens with a plastic intra-ocular one. This restores a sharper clarity of vision than previous cures.

People in the News - 3rd prize