Look at those big, beautiful eyes! This is baby Aarsh, from a small village just outside Moradabad city, in Uttar Pradesh, India. At seven months old, he weighs about seven pounds – what many babies weigh at birth.

Aarsh’s mother, Shabana, was only seven months pregnant when she delivered him prematurely. Little Aarsh had been in an incubator in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at their nearby hospital for 15 days when his parents learned that he needed to have his eyes screened for Retinopathy of Prematurity, or ROP.

ROP is one of the leading causes of vision loss in children, and preterm infants are at high risk of developing this blinding condition. ROP occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and spread throughout the retina, the tissue that lines the back of the eye. These abnormal blood vessels are fragile and can leak, which can scar the retina and pull it out of position. This causes a retinal detachment and visual impairment.

To save a child’s sight, early detection and treatment of ROP are critical. Unfortunately, many infants go undiagnosed due to the lack of awareness of ROP and the lack of screening services available outside of tertiary-level hospitals. That’s why we are working with partners like C.L. Gupta Eye Institute (CLGEI), located in Moradabad city, to provide remote diagnosis and referral services for at-risk infants and their families. With a case of specialized teleophthalmology equipment and pediatric supplies in hand, optometrists from CLGEI regularly visit 40 NICUs and maternity centres across the Moradabad District, where they capture retinal images of premature infants with assistance from nursing staff who help keep the wriggly babies calm and still.

When Aarsh’s parents first learned their baby could have ROP, they were fearful of the treatment process, and they refused to have Aarsh screened in the NICU. Fortunately, the team at CLGEI are known for their compassion and persistence. After continuous follow-up phone calls and messages from the ROP Coordinator, Aarsh’s parents agreed to bring the little boy, then six weeks old, to CLGEI for screening.

Aarsh’s retinal images revealed that he had ROP in both eyes and required urgent treatment to prevent blindness. First, his eyes would be injected with a drug that inhibits abnormal blood vessel growth, then, at a later appointment, he would receive laser treatment.

Shabana couldn’t help but get emotional she when she heard Aarsh’s little cries from the next room as the doctor did the injections. She knew that timely treatment was necessary to save her son’s sight, but still the tears streamed down her face. Her little one wasn’t even two months old, and he’d already been through so much.

Following the injections, Aarsh’s eyes were covered with bandages, and they were sent home that same day with eye drops and a list of post-procedure instructions. No doubt, the experience was a lot for Aarsh’s parents to take in, worrying about their newborn baby who required special care while also tending to their other children; but they took comfort in knowing that the pediatric staff at CLGEI were available to help them every step of the way.

Later that week, Aarsh received laser treatment. The procedure, which is done with local anesthetic, uses a beam of light to create scar tissue on the outer edges of the baby’s retina, which prevents abnormal blood vessels from forming.

Aarsh’s family went for several follow-up visits. His parents were diligent about making and keeping their appointments, even though it meant that his father, Ajmat, had to close his shop so they could travel to the hospital, which meant a loss of income. They were thankful that Aarsh’s treatment was provided free of charge. They were also grateful to the CLGEI staff who checked in with them and sent them reminders.

Today, Aarsh is doing great, and his vision is good. His mother, who is also happy and in good health, says that Aarsh even watches cartoons on the television like his big brother and sister.

“Little Aarsh’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of our ROP screening program. Through the dedication of our team and the support of generous donors, we’re not just preventing blindness; we’re nurturing futures,” says Lokesh Chauhan, Deputy General Manager at CLGEI.

“Aarsh’s bright eyes now reflect a world of possibilities, and his story motivates us to continue our mission of bringing vision and hope to every child in need.”

Aarsh will require lifelong follow-up visits. Doctors have stressed to his parents the importance of regular eye exams, as infants with ROP are at higher risk for developing other eye problems later in life, such as myopia (nearsightedness), strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye) and glaucoma. In many cases, these eye problems can be treated or controlled.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the diligence of Aarsh’s parents, and the expertise of the staff at CLGEI, little Aarsh has a big future ahead of him.

Please donate today to help more infants like Aarsh.

The post This little one has a big future ahead appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

“Our school eye health program is giving students more than just access to eyeglasses or sight-saving procedures,” says Dr. Ritu Ghosh, our Global Director of International Programmes. “Together we are giving children the chance to attend school, build social connections and thrive.” 

Using innovative technology, such as the Peek Acuity app and KoboToolbox, we are training teachers and community health nurses to identify and refer students with eyesight problems. This enables us to connect students and their families with eye health care as well as their local health care systems. 

“By equipping staff and teachers to identify eye health issues, and by creating a referral network with our partners, we are creating sustainable solutions that ensure families have access to eye health care long after a school eye health project wraps up,” Dr. Ghosh adds. 

In 2023 in Zambia, we provided primary eye care training to 20 school teachers from 15 schools. As a result, more than 3,500 students were screened for eye health issues, and 269 students received a free pair of eyeglasses. 

“These glasses are changing everything in my life for the better,” Salome says. “I am focusing on improving my grades so that I can become a doctor and help other kids like me!” 

“I spent many nights crying that I couldn’t be there for my mom who does so much for our family,” Isaac shares. “I feel more confident and happier now that my vision has returned to me.” 

“Our corporate elations program is an exciting opportunity for companies to financially support eye health initiatives and engage their staff by providing volunteer opportunities,” explains Subhadip Bhattacharya, our head of fundraising in India. 

The post Brighter futures ahead, thanks to school eye health programs appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

In 1988, while waiting for her semiannual eye exam at a local clinic in Vancouver, Canada, she saw a poster for Operation Eyesight on the wall. By then, Eileen had been at risk of glaucoma for 37 years. Frequent eye checkups were crucial to monitor the risk.

In 2004, she was diagnosed with closed-angle glaucoma, which could lead to severe increase in eye pressure and vision loss. Eileen’s vision was saved, thanks to regular checkups, quick diagnosis and immediate laser surgery.

Eileen then became an advocate for Operation Eyesight. Since her first gift in 1988, she has helped bring eye care to many across South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

A healthcare professional herself, Eileen worked for the welfare of others. In 1970, she volunteered as an X-ray technician in the Caribbean Island of Dominica. It informed her of the disparities in healthcare and deepened her love for humanitarianism. A few years later, she became one of the early technologists to learn ultrasound, a role she cherished for 39 years.

“I can only imagine what it would be like to be blind,” Eileen says.

“I believe in Operation Eyesight and encourage others to look into its programs.”

Thank you for your dedicated support, Eileen!

The post Decades of support, a lifetime of compassion appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

For 37-year-old Felicia from Obrachire, in southern Ghana, seeing how prescription eyeglasses made it possible for her own daughter to read helped fuel her passion for delivering eye care in her community.

“Due to my daughter’s story, I really love to screen schoolchildren, so I can help identify the eye conditions they may be having and assist them before it becomes too late,” she says.

“I find satisfaction in detecting eye problems in people and assisting them to get the treatment they need.”

Felicia works as a community health nurse, and since receiving additional training in primary eye care, she now provides eye health screenings, education and referrals for people in her own community.

We work with community health nurses like Felicia in communities across Ghana. Not only do they provide eye care, but also health assessments and health education to others in their own community.

When it comes to overall health and well-being, eye health is often the missing piece of a much larger puzzle. Felicia says the training she received from Operation Eyesight is helping her transform the care she provides to her neighbours.

“I can now give my community members an in-depth education on eye health when I go for home visits,” she explains.

“I love to see people in good health. I am passionate about helping the sick to recover.”

Thank you for your compassion and dedication, Felicia!

With files from Dora Ewusi.

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