'We cried when she opened her eyes'

Says father of one-year-old who is able to see after surgery at a Noida hospital

Clear vision: Shifa was suffering from complete blindness due to cataract. pic/Mid Day

Says father of one-year-old who is able to see after surgery at a Noida hospital

One-year-old Shifa's parents did not realise in the beginning why their daughter did not respond to their gestures. As she grew up, they learnt that she was visually challenged. Doctors said she had cataract because of which she lost vision in both of her eyes. Usually a person loses partial vision due to cataract, but her case was a different one as she lost sight completely.

"At the time of her birth, we did not notice that she cannot see. As she started growing up, we found that she was not responding to our gestures. Gradually, some white spots started appearing in her eyes," said Javed, Shifa's father.

Shifa was suffering from complete blindness, but the family could not afford her treatment. Luckily, a team of doctors from an eye hospital in Noida, I CARE, during their trip to the village found out about her and offered to treat her free of cost.

"Shifa's parents could not afford the surgery. We offered to treat the child free of cost and managed to convince her grandmother to bring the child to the hospital," said Dr Reena Chowdhry, senior consultant, Pediatric, Ophthalmology and Glaucoma, I CARE Eye Hospital, Noida.

Seeing is believing
It took the doctor days to persuade the family to get her treated as they were apprehensive, her being a girl and from a conservative Muslim family. Finally, her grandmother agreed to get her treated.
"It was a tough decision for us. These doctors are a messenger of God for us. They did not ask for any money to treat my daughter and also gave us a place to stay during the treatment. We are really thankful to them," said Javed.

"At first, her right eye was treated and after three days, her left eye was also operated on. Her family is happy to see that Shifa can see now," said Dr Chowdhary. "We cried when she opened her eyes. It was an emotional moment for us. For the first time she reacted to our gestures," said Javed.