Every child deserves to be healthy, loved and accepted.
After Mahek was born with strabismus – commonly known as a squint – she faced not only the prospect of worsening eyesight throughout her life, but also stigma from others in her community.
“I felt different from other kids my age and wished I had normal eyes,” says the 15-year-old teen and eldest of five sisters.
Strabismus causes the eyes to point in different directions, often causing blurred or double vision. Mahek and her family, who live in the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, India, often felt rejected by their community. Their relatives and neighbours said Mahek would not have a bright future and that nobody would marry her.
Mahek’s parents took her to see an ophthalmologist but lost hope when they were told her eyes could not be treated and that she would have to live with the condition for the rest of her life. Heartbroken, Mahek’s parents stopped exploring further treatment options.
The family’s hope was restored when Raisen Vision Centre held an eye health screening camp at Mahek’s school. Staff told Mahek’s father that his daughter’s condition was treatable, but that she should receive treatment without further delay. She was referred to our partner Sewa Sedan Eye Hospital, where she received surgery.
“I was a bit worried, thinking if the surgery didn’t go as planned it would worsen my eyes. But the surgeons there were very caring and made me feel at ease,” Mahek recalls.
Following the surgery, Mahek returned to school, where her friends joyfully welcomed her.
“My squint is gone, and now I look like other children with good eyes. This treatment has boosted my confidence, and I would like to join the defense services when I grow up.”
Visit operationeyesight.com/GiftOfSight to donate today and help give more children like Mahek a brighter future!
