She Could See Her Children Again

A NOOR Success Story

Fatima* was almost completely blind. When she was a child, someone hit her with a stick and she lost all vision in her left eye. Around half a century later, the sight in her right eye was failing too. Fatima could only see hand movement.

Fearing that she would go completely blind for the rest of her life, at 60 years old, Fatima arrived at IAM’s National Organisation for Ophthalmic Rehabilitation (NOOR) eye hospital in Kandahar.

After a checkup, the ophthalmologist found a matured cataract on her right eye and recommended cataract surgery. Naturally, Fatima was scared that the operation would go wrong and that she wouldn’t be able to see for the rest of her life. She was hesitant to go ahead with the surgery. But the medical staff at NOOR, and her brother who had accompanied her, talked with her and convinced her to have the operation.

It was scary. But it was a risk that could enable her to see again.

After the surgery, the vision in Fatima’s right eye was restored. She could see! She was extremely happy.

Without sight, her life had been very limited. She hadn’t been able to do all the things she used to do. But now, she could fulfil her responsibilities in the house. She could take care of herself. And even better than that, she could see her children’s faces again.

 

*name changed

Want to know more about IAM’s life-transforming eye care work? Check out this infographic to find out what NOOR is all about.