A 10-year old boy, Emmanuel Egyir, suffers from bilateral cataract – an eye infection that has rendered him partially blind. With his movements restricted, Emmanuel Egyir has no option than to drop out of school.
Emmanuel’s condition started at the age of two (2) but it was not until he turned 9, that a hospital officially diagnosed him of having bilateral cataract. All he needed at the time of his diagnosis was GH¢2000.00. Unfortunately, his parents could not raise the amount and gradually Emmanuel lost his sight.
Partially blind now, the 10-year-old depends on his parents and some relatives to move around and has been out of school since age 4.
This is the story of Emmanuel Egyir who lives with his parents at Ashaiman in Accra. Despite the numerous challenges, Emmanuel’s dream is to become a medical doctor in future.
HOPE FOR EMMANUEL EGYIR
Touched by his story, ‘Ghana Today’ one of GBC’s flagship programmes launched a campaign to solicit for and mobilize funds to help Emmanuel undergo medical examination and treatment.
In an interview, producer of ‘Ghana Today,’ Gloria Anderson said, her team was touched when Nii Odoi, a staff of GBC informed them of the plight of the 10-year old boy but the challenge was funding and therefore appealed to Ghanaians to financially assist to help save the life of Emmanuel.
Through the appeal, benevolent listeners of ‘Ghana Today’ sent in their donations and today, Emmanuel has hope again. With payments made, Emmanuel Egyir is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at the Crystal Eye Centre.
BILATERAL CATARACT
Mayoclinic.org defines a cataract as the clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car especially at night. Most cataracts develop slowly and don’t disturb the eyesight but with time, cataracts will eventually interfere with vision.
Although cataracts do not necessarily spread from one eye to the other, they usually occur in both eyes (bilateral cataracts).
STORY BY: Henrietta A. Afful
