“She’s the light of my life!”
Tiny Sofia Hussain, an infant of 8 months, may never have experienced the joy of witnessing light. Indeed, she may never have known what it means to see.
Sofia was born with congenital glaucoma, a dangerous birth defect leading to intense pressure build-up behind the eyes, which can deprive a person of their eyesight if unchecked. Timely intervention, usually during the first year of life, is absolutely necessary to cure the sufferers of this condition.
Soon after birth, Sofia had abnormally large eyes – a fact that alarmed her parents. Convinced there was something wrong with their daughter, they showed her to several doctors, who reassured them that their fears were unfounded. Fortunately, baby Sofia was referred to Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi when she was less than a year old. What could have been an unspeakable tragedy instead turned into a celebration of life.
In December 2015, Sofia's case was forwarded to Dr Irfan Jeeva, an ophthalmologist at AKUH, by Dr Iqtidar, a paediatric consultant in the Women and Child Health Division. Through excellent interdepartmental collaboration, the diagnosis of glaucoma was confirmed. Due to the criticality of Sofia’s condition and to save her from blindness, the ophthalmology team had to prepare for immediate surgery. A trabeculectomy surgery was performed on Sofia. This complex procedure, using cutting-edge technology, created a new channel to drain fluid from the eye. The procedure is appropriate for infants and will help avoid future repeat surgeries as Sofia grows older. Sofia's family could not afford the cost of the surgery and in order to make the surgery possible, Sofia's physician referred her case to the Patient Welfare Programme. Through a quick process, Sofia's family was able to apply for and receive financial assistance.
Interviewed in May 2016, as they came in for a follow-up visit, Sofia’s ecstatic grandmother says, “I love playing with her. We are so relieved and happy post surgery. She can see now!”
Without timely intervention, expert care and your generous donations, Sofia - now a curious, bubbly one-year-old - would have lost the gift of sight.
