By Kyle Martel | Communications Manager
Two-month old Baby Beatrice was born with cataracts in both eyes. Her father, Eric, is blind in one eye and has limited vision in the other; he was raised by a blind father and has siblings who are blind. Her mother, Comfort, was born able to see but gradually lost vision in both eyes.
The young parents depend on family to help with their needs, including caring for Beatrice.
Comfort's family noticed Baby Beatrice was developing the same white in her eyes that appear in Comfort's eyes. Worried that Beatrice was also going blind, the family decided to bring her to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Ghana - about a 40-minute trip from their home in Brimsu-Apewusika.
After seeing a pediatric ophthalmologist, Comfort and Eric were told an outreach event supported by HCP and our partners was happing the next day and to bring Beatric back. Eric and Comfort were both nervous about surgery, Comfort crying when thinking about her daughter's future.
Dr. Doreen Frimpong, a pediatric specialist from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, operated on Baby Beatrice. The surgery was provided free of charge to the family, thanks to support from HCP. The day after her surgery, Beatrice was calm in her mother’s arms, with no complications. Although Eric and Comfort may never see Beatrice’s face, she will be able to see theirs.
At this stage, Beatrice is too young to have artificial lenses implanted, so she will use aphakic glasses to improve her sight until she is old enough for additional surgery. Without these glasses, her doctors say her sight will not improve and she will not grow. Beatrice will need regular check-ups to closely monitor her progress.
Eric and Comfort are committed to her eye health and dream of her going to school with other children. That dream can become a reality with your continued support.
We know there are many more "Baby Beatrices" waiting to receive care. Thanks to the kindness of people like you, the Himalayan Cataract Project is able to improve eye care and restore sight to those in need around the world.
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