Trachoma: surgery by ophthalmologists

These ophthalmologists are performing surgery on a patient with trichiasis in Vietnam. This surgery was atypical because it was conducted by ophthalmologists, whereas in other countries trichiasis surgery would be carried out by ophthalmic nurses. It is not usually necessary for ophthalmologists to do this straightforward operation, as a trained nurse or medical officer can carry it out. The expertise of an ophthalmologist is only required under special circumstances, for example when a patient has defective eyelid closure.