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Restoring sight during a pandemic:
Toddler Tiek's story

Aildrene Tan | 12 NOV 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused chaos around the world, with governments ordering varying forms of lockdown to contain the virus and slow its spread. The sight-restoring work of The Fred Hollows Foundation that spans more than 25 countries was impacted, with some resources diverted to support COVID frontline workers. Despite these disruptions, we continued providing sight-saving surgery in countries like Lao PDR.

Tiek, who is only 2-years-old, was one of the people who received his surgery in the midst of COVID restrictions. 

  
COVER PHOTO: Bart Verweij

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Meet Tiek - the heart and soul of his family

Tiek was born a healthy baby boy, but when he was just a few months old  his parents noticed something odd. He had no sense of direction, and he was crawling backwards. It turned out Tiek was born with cataract in both eyes, which was clouding his vision. 

He would be able to see again, but only if he underwent cataract surgery quickly. The procedure would be very delicate and extra care would be needed, as is the case when the patient is such a young child.
 
The surgery would have to be performed in two parts – first to remove the clouded lens, and then a few months after, a second surgery to implant an intraocular lens (IOL) as a replacement for the natural lens. 

For babies like Tiek, having surgery as soon as possible is crucial. Delay in surgery, even by a few months, could mean that their brain will not develop the ability to see, even if their cataract is removed at a later age. 
 
Luckily for Tiek, the cataracts were removed from both his eyes when he was just nine months old.
 
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Photo credit: Bart Verweij
 
Just over a year after his first surgery, COVID-19 hit – and everything was put on hold, including his second operation to implant the IOLs. 
 
Times were uncertain and everyone was concerned that Tiek wouldn't be able to get his surgery on time. But with the dedication of our eye health partners in Lao PDR, Tiek was able to get his surgery and can see once again!
 
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Photo credit: Bart Verweij


Working remotely to share Tiek’s story

Bart Verweij, an experienced NGO photographer based in Lao PDR joined our team to capture this life-changing moment in Tiek’s life.
 
It was not a usual trip – the pandemic meant that Bart and the eye health team had to go through strict checks when traveling between provinces. There was even a moment when we thought they couldn’t continue with the trip, because a cluster of infections was detected in one of the hospitals they visited.

But after delays, they finally reached Tiek. His family live in Bokeo province, which is hundreds of kilometres  from Lao PDR’s capital city Vientiane, where the most advanced health services are concentrated.
 
Bart couldn’t help but notice how energetic, funny and lovable Tiek is. 

“Tiek has tons of energy. He loves to eat sticky rice, and he knows how to get the attention of the people around him,” Bart tells us.

“He’s a natural entertainer and he can really make people laugh,” Bart adds.
 
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Photo credit: Bart Verweij


How did Tiek’s second eye surgery unfold?

On the day of his surgery, Tiek was a little confused and worried, with the hospital environment a new and strange experience for him.

Tiek was in good hands with Dr Sonchai Heuangvilai, an ophthalmologist who received his training from The Fred Hollows Foundation.
 
A father himself, Dr Sonchai had a knack for calming Tiek down and making him feel comfortable. With some sticky rice to munch on and cartoons to keep him occupied, Tiek slowly settled down enough to undergo a second eye surgery.

“Tiek is around the same age as my children. I feel like he is one of them. And I am delighted that I can give him his sight back,” Dr Sonchai says.

To his family’s elation, Tiek’s surgery was successful. The next day, he was back to his charming self, blowing kisses at everyone, even before his patches came off.

“There was a lot of excitement. Everything was new to him as he had never seen so clearly before,” Dr Sonchai says.

“Although I have nothing to give in return, I would like to express my gratitude to the medical staff at Bokeo Hospital. I am speechless, I can’t thank the doctors, nurses, and their team enough for helping my grandson!” Tiek’s grandmother, Soy, says.
 
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Photo credit: Bart Verweij

Relieved and grateful, Tiek’s family returned home with their happy little boy more energetic than ever. 

“We drove him home, and that same day I saw he was playing with chickens and ducks in the yard,” Tiek’s mum, Kene, says.

“Because he has never seen them before, he ran around the village, and whenever he saw a toy, he just picked it up and played around the house,” Kene adds.

“Finally, my grandson can see his parents, relatives, and the outside world. He can go to school, obtain useful skills and become anything he wants in the future,” Soy says.
 
“I don’t know what the future will be like, I hope he can return the favour and become a doctor, nurse, or teacher himself.”
 

Thanks to the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), we were able to help our partners continue their work during the pandemic by supplying them with protective gear, masks, thermometers, sanitisers, hospital beds, and other equipment worth more than AU$250,000.

 
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About the Author

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.