Giving Sight to the Cataract Blind

“I am sitting on the sofa smelling the freshly arrived newspaper that I once used to read. It used to update me for my everyday political chit chat session with my neighbor, Abdul Kareem. The wind is blowing in from the window right next to the sofa that I am sitting on. It is the same window through which I used to keep an eye on my grandchild playing in the garden with his friends... My breakfast has been placed on the table right in front of me. I can smell the jasmines that my daughter-in-law picks up every day from the garden and places them in a bowl in my breakfast tray. The sight of my favorite flowers always used to make my day. I can still feel the picture of my late wife placed in the pocket right next to my heart. I used to look at it and observe all the wrinkles on her face which made me feel like the luckiest man on earth as every wrinkle reminded me of a year that we have spent together. But today I feel like it is no more that picture..It is just a cardboard. Cataract took away from me all that I had earned in my life..It took away from me my vision, my sight, which made me feel alive.”

Narrated above is the story by one of our patients who lost his eye sight to cataract. In Pakistan, around 60% of the cataract patients lose their eyesight due to delayed or inadequate treatment (Pakistan Observer). The loss of vision in elderly is mostly due to cataract and it especially happens to people after the age of 50 years. The problem is worsened as a large number of people who are suffering from cataract live in the far flung or rural areas of the country and they are unable to afford to travel to the cities for their treatment. Therefore, Fatima Memorial Hospital took the initiative of not only creating awareness about the treatment of cataract but it also provides free treatment to those suffering from this painful disease.

However, as the number of cataract patients is increasing day by day and the resources of FMH are limited, we need donations from our altruistic donors.

The approximate cost of cataract surgery is USD 100.00 and in the last quarter, 28 cataract surgeries were performed free of cost. In order to cater to the rising inflow of patients, FMH is counting on the help of its generous donors who could support it in the pursuit of saving the eyesight of many of the cataract patients. Hence, we urge you to support us in our cause and save the suffering beings from entering a state of hopelessness.

Thank you.

My world is a dark abyss. When I hear the noise of my grandchildren playing in the field, I yearn to observe them. When the warmth of the sun reaches me, my eyes crave to see the light piercing through the windows of my room. When I look at the mirror and see nothing but darkness, I start questioning my existence. My ailing wife calls on me, and my eyes open widely and start searching for my beloved. On not being able to see her, chills run down my spine. Losing my eyesight is an ordeal which often brings about suicidal tendencies in my head but I still gather some courage and decide to live, in the hope that one day, my eyesight would return and I would be able see all the bounties that Allah has bestowed upon me.

Above is the story of one of our patients who was suffering from cataract. In Pakistan, 60% of the cataract patients lose their vision due to inadequate or delayed treatment of cataract (Pakistan Observer) and it is high time that we as a nation take the matter in our own hands and contribute to eliminate this disease.

Vision loss in elderly is commonly due to cataract and it happens especially to people after the age of fifty years. What adds fuel to fire is the fact that a large number of people suffering from cataract live in the remote and rural areas of the country and they are usually unable to afford to travel to the cities for their treatment. Hence, Fatima Memorial Hospital in its pursuit of endowing healthcare to the underprivileged, strives to provide maximum assistance to such patients.

The indigent communities in the country are always provided with free or subsidized treatment by Fatima Memorial Hospital and it is especially for cataract that FMH provides 100% free treatment to as many patients as possible and plans to keep on doing so with the support of its esteemed donors.

It is due to cataract that approximately 570,000 adults are estimated to be blind (NCBI) and therefore, the inflow of patients who come to FMH for their treatment is rising day by day. Hence, FMH needs more and more donors to support its cause of providing free treatment for people suffering from cataract. The approximate cost of cataract surgery is USD 100.00 and in the month of May, 15 major and 18 minor cataract surgeries were performed free of cost.

Hence, FMH relies on the help of its generous donors who could support it in the pursuit of saving the eyesight of many of the cataract patients. It is only with our donors’ help and support that FMH would continue to treat the rising number of patients of cataract. Hence, we urge you support us in our cause and save the suffering beings from darkness.

Thank you.