Operation Artist Eyes

Ventse is a street artist. Ventse is going blind.

He lives in Sofia, Bulgaria. He is 63 years old and lives alone. There is no National Health Service in Bulgaria. There is only Bulgarian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which does not cover the price for the operation he needs. Few years ago Ventse developed a macular hole in each eye- this is a gap in the centre of the retina, the cause of which is unknown. The macular hole makes the vision blurred and distorted. With time the retinal detachment separates the retina from the blood vessels (which provide oxygen and nutrients to it) and the person goes blind.

Ventse had three operations, where the doctor fixed with a laser the smaller hole in his left eye (2-s) and glued temporarily the bigger hole with a piece of silicone in his right eye. However, this is not a permanent solution. As expected consequence from the operations Ventse developed glaucoma and a cataract. He is using special drops every day. He had to have the silicone removed about a year ago and replace his lens with an artificial one, but had no the money to cover that. Ventse needs this operation as soon as possible now. It will cost approximately £3,000.

I am kindly asking you to spare some money for the eyes of this artist.

Ventse makes only post cards at the moment, because he doesn't have the means nor the eyes to do his usual street portraits and oil paintings.

The eyes are most essential to all of us, but for Ventse they are also part of his working tool box.

He is living alone after the death of his parents. He has no permanent job, because there is not a lot of job offers for partially blind 63 years old street artists. Ventse is trying his best to survive. He has no state pension as he is too young to apply. His state benefits hardly cover his living essentials.

Please, help Ventse carry on with his art and his life.

Thank you.

Peace and Love.