Location: India
Photographer: Zoya Naaz (Personal Collection)

Arslaan was born with a battle to fight, but he roared through it like a lion. His story is a reminder to act early, screen every newborn, and never underestimate the strength of a tiny heart with a brave spirit. Watch full story here: https://youtu.be/bkcCv8Az64Q

Arslaan was born prematurely and admitted to the NICU for over 1.5 months. His early life was filled with pain - tiny feet and hands pricked with needles, an oxygen pipe in his nose, and a battle for survival. On the day of discharge, we were informed of his diagnosis: Stage 4B Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). That single moment changed everything. What followed were laser treatments, major surgeries, and years of follow-ups. Even in the face of discomfort and pain, Arslaan endured every procedure with quiet strength- the kind far beyond his years. That spirit of courage is what defined him. We named him Arslaan-a name that means “lion” - not for how loud he roared, but for how bravely he fought without ever giving up. Despite irreversible vision loss in his left eye, Arslaan continues to shine. He’s passionate about cricket, academically brilliant, and full of life. Inspired by his strength, I chose optometry - to bring awareness to conditions like ROP and the importance of early screening. This is more than a case — it’s a call to protect vision, act early, and believe in the resilience of even the tiniest lives.