A new beginning for Jemina after cataract surgery

Jemima Manguelle Lindjeck, a four-year-old from Mom village in Cameroon's Centre Region, has been diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. She was so dizzy that she needed help walking and had to drop out of school after her first semester due to her inability to see.

She spent the majority of her time at home, where her father, Joel, and great-aunt Madeleine assisted her with even the most basic duties. Jemima's issue first became apparent when she began seeing things differently. Then, white dots appeared in her eyes. Her family had no idea what was wrong with her, so they turned to their neighbors for help.

Her family refused to go to the hospital because they were warned that physicians would "take her eyes out." They sought herbal cures because they were afraid and had no idea what else to do. Her condition worsened, and she was unable to play with other children or accomplish basic tasks on her own.

The Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute (MICEI), which collaborates with Christian Blind Mission (CBM), an organization in official relations with WHO, hosted an event in Mom that provided optimism. Doctors informed Jemima that she needed surgery since she had cataracts in both eyes.

Her father, Joel, worked as a security guard and earned a modest income so that he couldn't afford the surgery. Jemima had to go a considerable distance to Obak, the hospital where the procedure would be performed. They examined her and declared her to be okay. Her father, Joel, prayed for her recovery, and the surgery went smoothly. CBM assisted MICEI in covering the costs of Jemima's surgery, transportation, and food, allowing her to return to the doctor.

Jemima and her father were relieved when the bandages were removed, and overjoyed to see her vision restored, which was made even sharper once she tried on her new eyeglasses.

Today is Jemima's first day of school, and she is wearing her new bright pink eyeglasses, which had her very excited. Her newfound confidence shines through in every smile and every laugh. She can now balance her homework and socializing with her friends. Her father, Joel, who has recently started teaching at the same school, observes with calm pride and thanks God for her restored vision and bright future.

Jemima's story underscores a broader issue: millions of children have untreated eye conditions because they can't afford to see a doctor, don't know how to treat them, or are too impoverished. Many families wait too long to seek treatment, resulting in blindness and the loss of critical developmental years for their children. Simple interventions, such as eyeglasses or surgery, can help children return to school and achieve independence. Joel now recommends that other parents ensure their children receive timely treatment for their vision concerns.

Cataract is cloudiness in the lens of the eye, leading to increasingly blurred vision. It is the leading cause of blindness globally, impacting 94 million people worldwide. Vision loss due to cataract can be restored with a simple and cost-effective surgery. In adults, the risk of developing cataract increases with age, but other factors can accelerate their development. In children, they can be congenital (present at birth) or develop later, often due to genetic factors, infections, or other underlying conditions. While cataracts may not be entirely preventable, there are lifestyle changes and habits that can be adopted to reduce the risk and delay their onset.

After cataract surgery, eyeglasses often remain important for optimizing vision. They provide a safe, non-invasive way to fine-tune sight and correct any remaining refractive error. Many people still need eyeglasses for near tasks such as reading or other near work. A check for new eyeglasses is usually recommended once the eye has healed and vision has stabilized, typically a few weeks after surgery.

This story was developed by the Christian Blind Mission in collaboration with the WHO Vision and Eye Care Programme.

Photo credits: Christian Blind Mission.