Huambo: At least 514 cataract patients regained their vision over the past five days during a free surgery campaign held at the Huambo General Hospital by Angola's National Ophthalmological Institute (IONA), in partnership with the Ministry of Health. This was announced on Saturday by IONA Director-General Luísa Paiva at the conclusion of the campaign. She stated that the initiative surpassed the initial target of 512 surgical procedures. According to Angola Press News Agency, 45 patients diagnosed with cataracts did not undergo surgery due to complex clinical conditions associated with other medical issues. Luísa Paiva clarified that these patients were not excluded from the program and will be transferred to Luanda to receive specialized treatment. She noted that studies identify diabetes, poor dietary habits, a sedentary lifestyle, and the improper use of certain electronic devices as key factors contributing to the rise in eye diseases. She affirmed that IONA will continue to expand eye care services to various provinces across the country, aiming to bring specialized care closer to the population and reduce barriers to treatment access, particularly for low-income families. She highlighted that cataract surgery can cost around two million Kwanzas, while treatment for retinal diseases can reach approximately double that amount. Glaucoma treatment, meanwhile, can hover around one million Kwanzas, depending on the complexity of the case. The official added that the services provided by IONA are funded by the Executive, allowing for reduced fees that are, in many cases, subsidized by the State. She stated that, from January to the present, the institute has treated approximately 58,000 patients with various eye conditions across the country; of these, 4,500 were treated for cataracts-a figure representing an increase of over 30 percent compared to the same period last year. For his part, the director of the Huambo General Hospital, Joaquim Isaac, noted that the campaign restored hope to hundreds of families b y providing free treatment that is otherwise costly, especially at private clinics. He described the initiative as unparalleled, noting the satisfaction of the families involved. The campaign mobilized 55 professionals, including ophthalmologists, surgeons, specialized nurses, diagnostic and therapeutic technicians, and administrative staff. Surgical procedures were performed on both children and adults, with the aim of restoring vision and improving the patients' quality of life.