The impact of restoring sight: As told by our field worker

Seeing someone on the verge of blindness getting their sight restored is quite a special moment. Witnessing the relief and joy, and sometimes shock, that usually overcomes them is an eye-opening experience. I am thankful that I get to be a small part of someone’s life-changing journey.

It is so uplifting to see a person who has suffered terrible hardships because of the loss of their vision finally receiving proper medical care. It makes you thankful for affordable and adequate health care, often made possible by the generosity of donors who support charitable organisations like The Fred Hollows Foundation.

In this article, I’ll be sharing my account of how a little boy’s life was transformed when his sight was restored.

COVER PHOTO: Hanh Tran

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The story of Alexcis before eye surgery
The story of Alexcis after eye surgery
The impact of childhood blindness
Our sight-restoring work in the Philippines

The story of Alexcis before eye surgery

Photo: Hanh Tran

Being a teenager is tough at the best of times, but imagine navigating your way through your teen years while losing your sight to cataract.

Alexcis is a 13-year-old boy from the island of Siargao in the Philippines. For two years, he had been going to school, only to sit in class and listen. With cataract clouding his vision, he was unable to read, write or actively participate in class.

While his classmates walked to school independently, Alexcis had to be accompanied by his brother. Living along a busy road, his poor vision posed additional risks to his safety. Once, he had to be rushed to the hospital because he got hit by a speeding motorcycle!

After his accident, Alexcis became shy and reclusive. He spent most of his time indoors, where he was less likely to be harmed and bullied because of his eye condition.

The story of Alexcis after eye surgery

Photo: Aildrene Tan

Thanks to supporters of The Fred Hollows Foundation, Alexcis was given the chance to see again. Once his father, Randy, found out that there was a cure for cataract, they both set out to get Alexcis the help he needed before he lost his sight permanently.

One morning, Alexcis and Randy woke before the roosters, and left Siargao at 3:30am to endure a three-hour boat ride to the mainland in Surigao del Norte. There, Alexcis had his eyes checked and was prepared to get his cataract operation.

Their trip was definitely worth it – Alexcis’ surgery was successful, and he was able to see again the day his eye patches were removed.

“I can see everything now. I am excited to go back to school,” Alexcis enthuses.

We checked on Alexcis’ progress, a few months after his operation. He was a bit shy at first, but he quickly opened up to us, recalling his experience at the hospital.

Soon, he was showing us his daily activities and hobbies – things that he wasn't able to enjoy before his surgery. We went to the beach with his friends, and Alexcis’ joy and playfulness was infectious. Behind the camera, I could see a boy who had been deprived of childhood joys for far too long, making up for lost time with gusto.

His father Randy couldn’t agree more: “Because he couldn’t see for most of his childhood, he’s now just catching up with play. We don’t prevent him from playing with his friends, we just let him enjoy his childhood.”

Alexcis is back at school now, and when he’s not enjoying the beach, he confidently helps his parents with household chores.

His parents hope that he will study hard and now that he’s been given the opportunity to see again. Randy is thankful to The Foundation and all the supporters who made this happen. He hopes that in the future, Alexcis himself will return the favour and help other people in need.

The impact of childhood blindness

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.4 million children under age 15 are blind. But not all eye conditions lead to permanent blindness – some can be treated if detected early.

In many circumstances, children who suffer from eye diseases like cataract can receive treatment, and grow into adulthood without further complications to their eyesight. But in places where healthcare is not accessible and affordable, childhood blindness can mean blindness for life.

Sadly, the fate of a child with vision problems could be influenced by where he or she lives, and those living in marginalised and remote communities are impacted the most.

The good news is that The Foundation works in many of these countries, restoring sight and helping end avoidable blindness.

Our sight-restoring work in the Philippines

Photo: Aildrene Tan

In places like the Philippines, there is a huge gap between health services found in the big cities, and those in remote and rural areas. According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) , there are an estimated 1,440 ophthalmologists in the Philippines, but 95% of them practice privately in urban areas. Only 34 of them specialise in paediatric ophthalmology, and fewer than 10 practice outside of Manila.

The Foundation works closely with the Philippine Department of Health to address gaps in the country’s eye health system. We focus our work in key provinces identified by the Government, prioritising regions that need the most assistance.

Since The Foundation started its work in the country in 2014, more than 324,000 people in six provinces have been screened for eye diseases, and more than 82,000 have received sight-saving treatments such as cataract operations. The Foundation is also investing in long-term solutions like educating community members, and training teachers, indigenous leaders and community health workers.

Beyond these numbers, the impact of changing someone’s life is not easy to quantify. For each person whose sight is restored, entire families and communities are transformed. A landmark study by PricewaterhouseCoopers showed that in developing countries, every $1 spent on eye health results in $4 in economic gain.

Photo: Aildrene Tan

The gains quickly materialised for Alexcis and his family. After his successful operation, Alexcis was able to help out in his family’s sari-sari store (roadside neighbourhood convenience store), and go back to school. He could have been blind for life, but he is now a step closer to realising his dreams of becoming a policeman, and serving his community.

Learn more

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aildrene Tan - The Fred Hollows Foundation

Aildrene is a Global Communications Coordinator for The Fred Hollows Foundation. He frequently travels from his home base in Manila to collect stories of change and impact – often in Southeast Asia's remote and rural areas. He has spent the last decade working in aid and development programs throughout the region – covering health, education, inclusive innovation, and sustainable tourism.