Dad continues desperate fight to save son’s sight

A Bahraini father is experiencing difficult times trying to save his son’s eyesight before it’s too late, as doctors warned of complete blindness if an urgent operation that would cost nearly BD3,000, is delayed. As reported last month by Tribune, Mohammed Ali has pleaded for the kindhearted to help him raise the amount needed to treat his son Khalid, who suffers from partial visual impairment caused by a child’s play that occurred around three years ago.

Mr Ali said that doctors advised that the six-year-old boy must undergo an urgent corneal implantation operation to save his eyes, which were severely damaged by pebbles thrown at him by another child while both kids were playing. Despite undergoing numerous surgeries, the hit caused permeant visual disability to the boy’s right eye and is gradually affecting the other eye.

He explained further saying, “Ophthalmologists supervising Khalid’s case advised that he should undergo a corneal implantation surgery at the earliest, as the injury is beginning to affect the other eye and may gradually cause complete loss of vision. His eye pressure isn’t stable and we have to go to the hospital every three-four days for treatment. He’s depending on medications and eye drops to stabilise the pressure.”

The father told Tribune yesterday that they have one more consultation with an ophthalmologist at the Military Hospital before proceeding with the operation, which is planned to be conducted in India once the necessary amount is collected.

Mr Ali thanked the readers of Tribune and charity organisations who stepped forward, contacted him and donated some money, confirming that he has collected half the amount now. According to the father, Khalid underwent several surgeries here and abroad since the mishap took place in 2015. The surgeries included primary globe repair and valve implantation. They were all conducted at his expense, costing him at least BD30,000. The distressed man also had told Tribune earlier that banks refused to lend him any more amounts, as he has apparently reached the limit his salary allows him to take loans from banks (BD27, 000).