Seventy-year-old Debeswari, from Golaghat District, Assam, once led an active life, walking to her nearby village to visit. When cataracts clouded her vision, her world shrank to the four walls of her home.
Once cheerful and independent, she became totally dependent on her family. Financial struggles and fear of surgery kept her from seeking treatment. She felt isolated, helpless and like a burden to her loved ones.
One day, an Operation Eyesight-trained community health volunteer named Daiboki visited Debeswari’s home. Together, they worked through her eyesight issues and her fears. Later, a team from our partner, Chandraprabha Eye Hospital, visited Debeswari and explained cataract surgery. Reassured, she accepted treatment and was transported to hospital that very day.
Now, Debeswari again walks independently to her nearby village – a freedom she hadn’t enjoyed in years. In having her vision restored, she has also recovered her dignity and joy.
Did you know?
Globally, 100 million people have cataracts, the leading cause of blindness.8 In India, cataract causes 66 per cent of blindness, 81 per cent of severe vision loss, 70 per cent of moderate vision loss and 24 per cent of mild vision loss according to the IAPB Vision Atlas. Cataract surgery is one of the most cost-effective treatments at approximately INR 4,712.
Learn how you can support cataract surgeries here.
