How a Simple Game Nearly Stole a Little Girl’s Sight

As we mark Play Safety Week, we're reminded that childhood should be full of fun, freedom and discovery, not danger. Yet for too many children around the world, play can quickly lead to life-changing injuries, especially when healthcare is out of reach.

One afternoon, Praises was playing outside with her friends when something suddenly got stuck in her eye. She cried out in pain, but with no money for a clinic visit, her family could only hope it would get better. At first, it seemed like she had recovered, but then her mother noticed she was tilting her head and straining to see. Praises began relying more on her left eye, and soon she couldn’t enjoy school or play the way she used to. 

Her mother remembers, “She couldn’t see clearly anymore. She stopped playing with her toys the same way. It broke my heart.” 

When they made it to the district hospital, the diagnosis came: a traumatic cataract.

A cataract is when the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy and blocks vision. They’re more common in adults, but they can also happen in children, especially after an eye injury. This is known as a traumatic cataract, and if left untreated, it can lead to permanent blindness. 

Sadly, Praises’ story isn’t unique. Around the world, many children suffer serious eye injuries while playing, often in unsafe environments, and without access to urgent care. 

The damage to her eye could have meant a future without sight. But thankfully, there was hope.

Thanks to generous gifts from people like you, Orbis ensured she received free cataract surgery at a local hospital. The procedure was quick, safe, and life changing. 

“She’s a different child now,” her mum says. “She’s confident, happy, and playing with her friends again. I’m so grateful.” 

Now, her vision continues to improve, and she’s even excited about getting glasses. “I want glasses like my mummy!” she giggles. 

She’s already dreaming big again. “She loves building things,” her mum tells us. “I think she’ll be an engineer one day.” 

She’s back to playing, helping with chores, and looking forward to school. 

“I can see my mummy and my toys and my friends!” – she told us, smiling.

Play Safety Week reminds us that all children deserve safe spaces to run, explore and grow, without fear of injury or long-term harm. Whether it’s a sharp object, a flying toy, or a fall, childhood eye injuries are more common than you might think. And in places where access to healthcare is limited, even a minor injury can have lifelong consequences.

Praises’ story shows just how not playing safely can lead to injury, and how life-changing access to care can be. 

Your support means a child won’t lose their sight simply because of poverty, distance, or an accident. It gives them access to treatment, surgery, and the chance to grow up seeing the world clearly. 

As we mark Play Safety Week, we’re reminded that sight is precious, and fragile. Your support can protect it.