Dhenkanal: Among the many things in life that most of us take for granted is the gift of sight. Many amongst us however are not as fortunate, and one such girl who was born with an eye disorder that left her blind for all purposes was finally able to gain her eyesight after a surgery here recently.
Bharati Patra (7), daughter of Bhagirathi Patra of Rangamatia village of Jajpur district, was born with a cataract disorder that left her visually-impaired. However, in a life-changing turn of events, an ophthalmologist operated upon her free of cost at a hospital in Dhenkanal. Later, she opened her eyes and was able to see her parents for the first time in her life.
The doctor was identified as Dr Chandrasekhar Sahu.
“My daughter was unable to see since her birth. She was wholly dependent on us for all of her needs. Now our happiness knows no bounds. She can now lead a happy, normal life and can study and play with her friends like any other girl of her age,” said Bhagirathi, the girl’s father.
Bhagirathi said as he was a labourer, he was scared of approaching major hospitals to get his daughter looked at. He said he had earlier consulted a local hospital but they had expressed their inability to treat her.
Later, he took Bharati to the local community health centre where doctors diagnosed her ailment as cataract. Bhagirathi even visited hospitals in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar but was disappointed as he did not have money necessary for the operation. The parents said they were forced to keep the little girl at home without sending her to school.
Hopes soared after Bhagirathi took his daughter to a free eye camp organised by Kalinga Eye Hospital at Maruabili village under Kankadahada block. There, the doctors decided to operate on her for free of cost.
Fate smiled on the girl after Dr Sahu first operated on Bharati’s right eye August 6. A day after the operation, Bharati was able to see her parents for the first time.
Dr Sahu said Bharati was suffering from blindness for the last seven years due to the cataract. She is now able to see after her right eye was operated. She will completely regain her sight after another operation will be performed on her left eye, he added.
Many children living in remote corners of the state are suffering from visual impairment due to cataract. They can regain their sight if health officials identify them and send them to hospitals, Sahu added.
This is not an isolated case as another girl Aparna Nayak (10) of Tumusinga village under Kamakhyanagar block in Dhenkanal district was suffering from a similar problem. Her family members were worried for her but were overjoyed after she regained her sight after an operation. PNN