Unique stories to inspire everyone to #LOVEYOUREYES

My name is Larissa, and I am Lorenna's mother. I want to share my daughter's story to raise awareness about congenital glaucoma and show how early diagnosis and continuous treatment can change a child's life.

Shortly after Lorenna was born, we noticed that something was different about her eyes. What followed was a difficult journey of medical appointments, examinations, and uncertainty. After about fifteen days, we finally found a glaucoma specialist who confirmed the diagnosis of congenital glaucoma.

The pressure inside Lorenna's eyes was dangerously high, and she needed emergency surgery immediately. Since then, she has undergone four eye surgeries and continues to require lifelong follow-up care to preserve the vision she still has.

Today, at three years old, Lorenna attends school, participates in classroom activities with the support of dedicated caregivers, and faces every day with joy and determination. Although her low vision limits her independence, it has never diminished her curiosity, her love of learning, or her desire to explore the world.

As her mother, I hope Lorenna's story helps more people understand congenital glaucoma and reminds them that early diagnosis and access to continuous treatment can change a child's future.

Sisters Sumaiya Hossain (17) and Habiba Hossain (14) have been blind for over 7 years due to congenital cataracts. Through The Fred Hollows Foundation and the ANCP-funded program, they received cataract surgery at Mazharul Haque BNSB Hospital in Chandpur, which included their travel and accommodation expenses. It was a great support to the family. Their father Awlad said, "As a father, it is a kind of celebration to see them happy again." After years of living in isolation and dependency, the girls have a new chance in life, and the smiles on their faces have finally returned.

In 2024, a change in my vision while out running led to a diagnosis of ocular melanoma. Within just three weeks, I had undergone surgery to remove my left eye. It was a huge shock: not simply the loss of an eye, but an immediate and irreversible change to how I see, move through and make sense of the world.

I now live with monocular vision and a bespoke prosthetic eye. This is not sight loss that can be corrected with treatment, glasses or time; it is an unavoidable, permanent adjustment. Everyday things - judging distance, navigating crowds, climbing Kilimanjaro (summited Feb 2026!), confidence and how I am seen by others - all require more thought than they once did.

As a communications professional, I had spent my career helping others find clarity in difficult moments. Living through cancer and life-changing surgery made that intensely personal. I want to share my experience to raise awareness of ocular melanoma, encourage people to take changes in vision seriously, and ensure that the human reality of sight loss is better understood.

In many remote and underserved parts of India, access to quality eye care remains a challenge. For thousands of people, a retinal screening is often unavailable until vision problems begin, by which time the damage may already be irreversible.

Artelus is changing this reality by taking AI-powered retinal screening directly to communities across India. At a recent screening camp, over **450 people** underwent comprehensive eye examinations. For many, it was their first retinal screening. Some were diagnosed with previously undetected eye conditions, while others received timely referrals, giving them a second chance at sight through early diagnosis and treatment.

Beyond screening, Artelus is committed to educating communities about diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases, helping people understand that diabetes can silently affect vision without early symptoms.

Every camp is a step towards preventing avoidable blindness through awareness, early detection, and timely intervention. Because we believe everyone, regardless of where they live, deserves access to quality eye care.

At the Mo Dewji eye health camp in Kilosa District, Morogoro Region, I met a man who could not see clearly out of either eye. He could only make out shapes and movement, so someone had to guide him by holding his arm.

That day, he had cataract surgery on one eye. The next day, he came back to schedule surgery for his other eye, and I almost didn't recognise him. He walked in on his own, smiling, and went straight to the registration desk to handle everythinghimself, even though only one eye had been treated so far.

He later had surgery on his second eye too.

The man I saw after both surgeries was completely different from the one who first arrived. He stood taller, walked with confidence, and laughed easily. He no longer needed anyone’s help and was truly himself again.

I have worked in health programs and seen plenty of data, from surgery counts to targets met. But nothing shows the true impact like watching a man walk in on his own, smiling because he can see again. He didn’t just get his sight back; he found himself again.

At Lions Medical Centre, we aim to bring hope to people whose lives have been quietly affected by poor vision. Every Sunday, we hold free eye camps for communities that often have little or no access to eye care. Many of the people who come to us have lived for years with cataracts, struggling to work, care for their families, or move through daily life with dignity.

What stays with me most is the moment a patient learns that their sight can be restored. When we identify those needing surgery, transport them to Lions Medical Centre, and provide free cataract operations, we are doing more than medical treatment; we are giving back independence, confidence, and hope. I have seen the relief on the faces of patients and families when vision returns, and it reminds me that sight can change everything.

This work is only possible because of donations and the generosity of partners who believe that no one should lose vision because they are poor or far from care. I share this story to show that with compassion, outreach, and support, avoidable blindness can be overcome, and lives can be transformed.

In this moment, a young child from the remote Himalayan region of Taplejung sits quietly during an eye examination, wearing a trial frame for the very first time. There is curiosity in those eyes—perhaps seeing the world more clearly than ever before.

In these mountainous communities, access to even basic eye care services remains a challenge. Long travel distances, difficult terrain, and limited awareness often prevent families from seeking timely eye examinations. As a result, many children grow up with uncorrected vision problems, unaware that their difficulties in learning or daily activities could be easily treated.

This image reflects more than just a screening—it represents access, awareness, and possibility. For a child like this, a simple pair of glasses can transform not only vision but also confidence, education, and future opportunities.

Through outreach programs in regions like Taplejung, we strive to bridge this gap by bringing eye care services closer to the community. Because every child, no matter how remote their home, deserves the chance to see clearly and live fully.

That changed when a community health worker from Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital visited her home as part of a door-to-door eye health programme. Using the Peek app, the community health worker tested Ram Beti's eyesight and referred her to a nearby vision centre. There, she received a pair of subsidised glasses to correct her near vision and help restore her independence.

“I used to have to get my sons to read everything for me, such as labels and other texts. Now I can do this and many other tasks myself, which is a relief. I think it is great that the household screening is happening in this community as it is helping to identify eye issues before they become a serious problem.”

As his sight worsened, Mussa could no longer see properly in class and was eventually forced to stop going to school. Life became difficult, and for years he lived without hope of seeing clearly again. Everything changed during the cataract outreach camp in Dongobesh, where Charity Vision's partners at Majay Foundation helped make sight-restoring surgery possible for children and adults in need. Today, Mussa can see again. His smile, confidence, and hope for the future have returned. He is now looking forward to going back to school and continuing his education.

The person who came to check my eyes took a picture. After taking that picture, it’s him who knew that I had eye problems.

The day when I went to the hospital, they looked at my eyes and they prescribed glasses. And they asked me: “When you wear those glasses, can you see?” I told them I can see very clearly.

When I was given the glasses, I felt very good. I can take care of other things without asking for help. I am happy, and now I am not worried because my eyes can see very well and I don’t have any problem. If a person tells me they have an eye problem, I will tell them to go to the hospital and see a doctor, so that they can help her.

© Sightsavers/ Samuel Otieno