Sight for 10,000 Poor Blind Children in Pakistan

36^th millionth patient – Muhammad Saeed

LRBT recently treated its 36th million patient and has impacted the lives of millions more by enabling the treated to become productive members of society again.

11 years old Saeed, a happy, confident boy, a student of grade 4 in a government school, lives in Baldia Town Karachi along with his parents and two siblings. Though poor, their father Asif, dreams of having his children study and live better lives than he did. Part of a joint family system where he is the primary earner, Asif feels that if he had been educated, their lives would have been much different than what they are today. Even after toiling eleven hours a day working in a chemicals factory for the past three decades, he has no savings to speak of. They live in a rented house and he earns a meager sum of Rs. 350 per day, with which he has to support his three young children, a wife and two unmarried sisters.

Saeed, his youngest, is one of the best students of his grade and they are immensely proud of him. Saeed loves sports and is often found outside on the street in front of his house playing a vigorous game of cricket with the neighborhood boys. He dreams of making it to the national cricket team one day.

Unfortunately, all of Saeed’s dreams were shattered when while playing cricket the ball hit him on his right eye. His friends immediately alerted Saeed’s mother, who assuming it’s a normal injury used a homemade remedy to help dull the pain and swelling. Saeed temporarily felt better, but in subsequent days, he found he could not see the blackboard in his classroom clearly and his eyes started to water whenever he concentrated too much while reading.

After a couple of weeks, his teachers noticed that Saeed’s grades were falling; he was not paying attention in class and was often staring into space. Previously a confident and outspoken child, he was now withdrawn and quiet – the playful look in his eyes and ready smile were a thing of the past. He looked down while speaking to others, avoided crowds and playing with his friends and siblings.

Although Saeed’s parents noticed the change in him, they thought it was just a phase, till one day they got a call from school – the news was not good. Saeed had started to cry in class, when asked to read from the board, he got up and ran from the room. Upon questioning, Saeed confided in his teacher that he could not see the board properly and he was scared that there was something wrong with him. His teacher told Saeed’s father to show him immediately to an Opthamologist.

Beside himself with worry, Asif took his son to LRBT Primary Eye Care Center in Baldia Town the very same day; Saeed was diagnosed with traumatic cataract in his right eye and was told that he would need to go to LRBT Korangi Hospital for immediate surgery. Worried about the cost of the surgery, Saeed’s father voiced his concern to the Opthamologist. Fortunately for him he had come to the right place as treatment at all LRBT centers and hospitals is free of cost. Weak with relief, Asif took his son to LRBT Korangi where Saeed was given a date for surgery.

Saeed’s surgery was successful and he is able to see clearly once again. He is back in school and working harder than ever before. Smiling from ear to ear, he looks at the camera with great confidence as he shares his dreams of becoming a cricketer.

“I thought I was losing my eyesight and was terrified that I would have to drop out of school and give up my dream of playing cricket again – to have my sight back is a miracle.“ He further confides, “One day I want to help others, the way that LRBT has helped me.”

• Saeed's pictures (DOCX)

6 years old Taha was a normal happy active child. One of the best students in his class, all the teachers were fond of him. Taha has an older brother and a sister and to him there is nothing better in the world than playing with his siblings.  

Taha’s father, a laborer, despite earning a meager sum of Rs. 10,000 and living in a rented house, still manages to send his children to school and hopes to see them go to college. He always regrets that he had not been able to complete his education but hopes that his children will be able to make something of themselves. Yet despite their poverty and the struggle to make ends meet they were content.

However, that started to change with the appearance of whiteness in Taha’s left eye. Belonging to a poor family, Taha was at a disadvantage as his mother who was illiterate could not fathom the reason for these spots and ignored them thinking they will go away with time. But as time passed, Taha’s class teacher noticed that he was not paying attention in class and had difficulty reading. A content confident child, Taha had now become withdrawn and quiet.  

His teacher discussed the strange white spots in Taha’s eyes with her husband who was a doctor and he told her to immediately inform Taha’s parents and tell them to take him to an ophthalmologist for a checkup. Taha’s teacher called his parents for a meeting the very next day. By this time the whiteness had become prominent, worried that their youngest child may be blind already, they rushed him to a nearby private clinic. The doctor upon examination told his parents that he will need a corneal graft surgery, and that was the only solution to restore their son’s sight. The doctor also informed them that the surgery will cost Rs. 150,000 and they will have to wait till a cornea can be arranged.

Taha’s father having no savings was devastated to hear the cost, but he knew that he could not stand by and do nothing while his son lost his future. He contacted his uncle who had undergone an eye operation a couple of years ago and his uncle told him about LRBT free eye care hospital.

Taha’s father took him to LRBT Korangi where he was examined in the Pediatric clinic and after routine protocols booked for surgery.

Taha underwent surgery and is now returning back to his routine life. His parents were surprised and ecstatic, that there are people who do not know them personally, yet wish them well and are making it possible for those who cannot afford treatment to receive free quality eye care.

The twinkle is back in Taha’s eyes and he has returned to school with renewed hope and aims to perform even better than before.

• Taha_Pics.docx (DOCX)