A Journey to Hope: Restoring Vision for Hasan and Hossain

In Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, Kholil faced a heart-wrenching reality. His twin boys, Hasan and Hossain, were struggling with their sight. What began with squinting, soon turned into more serious stumbles as they struggled to learn to walk without clear vision. As any parent would, Kholil felt a deep sense of worry about the health of his children.

Determined to find answers, Kholil and his wife sought help at various health posts scattered throughout the refugee camps for Rohingya refugees where the family lives. Despite their efforts, they found the staff at these centres often lacked the necessary knowledge about eye health, leaving them frustrated and concerned for their boys’ future.

Kholil recalls these difficulties with a heavy heart: “I became very upset while the vision problem of my sons was increasing day by day, and I did not get any expected results even after visiting many hospitals. I thought there was no hope to get back their vision.”

Hasan and Hossain getting their eyes screened at an Orbis-supported vision centre.

Just when hope seemed lost, a teacher from a nearby Child Friendly Space reached out to Kholil. She told them about a project that helped fix vision issues for children. Encouraged by this new lead, Kholil brought Hasan and Hossain to meet with community volunteers from the project, who promptly referred the twins to the Balukhali Vision Center.

At the vision centre, Hasan and Hossain’s parents were alarmed to learn that both Hasan and Hossain had cataracts. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness globally, and the longer a child waits for surgery, the greater their risk of vision loss. In the UK, patients can receive treatment quickly, where the surgery takes just around 20 minutes, with hundreds of surgeries performed daily through the NHS. However, in many parts of the world, a lack of access and trained surgeons prevents those in need from receiving this vital care.

However, amidst their worries, a sense of hope emerged as they discussed free treatment options that would be available for the boys. This gave them confidence for a brighter future for Hasan and Hossain. In that moment, Kholil’s wife felt an overwhelming wave of relief, moved to tears by the prospect of help for their sons.

Following their diagnosis, Hasan and Hossain were referred for surgery. They successfully underwent cataract surgery on their right eyes, and a few months later, their left eyes were also treated.

Kholil is so excited that his sons can see clearly now, and he loves watching them confidently explore their new world with the wonder and direction that sight brings.

During a follow-up visit at the hospital, Hasan and Hossain were provided with free glasses, to further improve their vision. The twins were no longer limited by their eyesight: free to explore, play, and thrive like other children their age.

Kholil and his family are deeply grateful to the project team and the volunteers who made this journey possible. Their story is a powerful reminder of the impact that access to eyecare can have. In Cox’s Bazar, a journey that began in darkness has turned into one filled with light, laughter, and hope for the future.

This World Sight Day, Hasan and Hossain’s journey highlights the urgent need to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to the vision care they deserve.

Sign-up to keep up with more inspiring stories like Hasan and Hossain's. Together, we can make quality eye care accessible to everyone.

By supporting Orbis this World Sight Day, you’re not just restoring sight—you’re transforming lives.

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