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.