So others may see

James Clarke helps people see.

The humanitarian ophthalmologist spoke last night at the Nyumburu Cultural Center, telling dozens of attendees about his work at the Crystal Eye Clinic, which he founded in 2003 in Ghana. Only about 30 percent of Ghanaians — a people prone to cataracts, corneal scars and eyelid deformities connected to malnutrition and unsanitary living conditions — have access to an eye doctor, meaning the country is seriously lacking eye care services, Clarke said.

Clarke is a member of Unite for Sight, an international nonprofit organization that "empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health and eliminate preventable blindness," according to its website. In addition to performing dozens of eye surgeries per week and handing out prescription glasses, Clarke said he holds seminars on eye infection prevention, correct sanitation and the recognition of medical conditions in their early stages.

The Unite for Sight chapter at this university enlisted the Delta Gamma sorority and community service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega to help bring Clarke to the campus, according to junior accounting and finance major Rachel Zhang, Unite for Sight UMD's vice president of communication. The event sought to inform students of the lack of accessible eye doctors in other countries.

In the northern regions of Ghana, there is one doctor for every 2 million people, according to Clarke. About 80 percent of blindness cases in Ghana are preventable, and Unite for Sight is attempting to provide preventative care. Clarke said these measures can impact society greatly by improving access to education and economic success.

In 2005, Unite for Sight reported sponsoring 229 surgeries in Ghana — a number that had grown 1,060 percent by 2010, to 2,657 surgeries.

"I enjoyed hearing about specific ways in which Dr. Clarke and Unite For Sight had improved the lives of so many people living in poverty," Zhang wrote in a Facebook message. "It's great being part of an organization that has performed surgeries and improved the lives of over 2,000 people in and around Ghana."

Delta Gamma's philanthropic goal is raising awareness about blindness in the local community, and Delta Gamma member and event co-coordinator Alex Wahlberg said lectures, such as bringing Clarke to the campus, help fulfill this mission.

Zhang wrote she was pleased with the night's turnout.

"Clarke said that tonight was probably the highest turnout he's every had on a college campus."

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