Vincent and Ruth conquered cataracts

Boniface and Eveline, from Siaya County in Kenya, were devastated when they discovered their youngest children, Ruth (7) and Vincent (2), were going blind due to cataracts. Already facing hardship, Eveline herself is blind, and the family relies solely on Boniface's strenuous work transporting water to survive.

Eveline lost her sight in primary school. Ruth's education suffered; she repeated grades and relied on her brother for homework. Vincent, still a toddler, couldn't fully enjoy his surroundings. Eveline struggled to maintain their home and longed for her children to regain their sight.

Eveline, Ruth, and Vincent received cataract surgery at Sabatia Eye Hospital, thanks to The Fred Hollows Foundation, an organization in official relations with the World Health Organization, and Ruma Women Development CBO. Boniface was overwhelmed with gratitude, calling it an answered prayer.

A year later, the family's life has transformed. Ruth now excels in school, especially in maths, and helps Eveline prepare meals, strengthening their bond. Vincent, though still too young for school, plays happily with friends. Eveline has joined a local "chama" for the first time, gaining financial independence and confidence. The community has taken notice. Neighbours who once looked down on the family now show respect, and even the area chief has been inviting Boniface to local events.

Their journey shows how access to timely cataract surgery not only restores sight but also restores dignity, opportunity, and a sense of belonging.

Cataract is the 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 overnight 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 Fred Hollows Foundation in collaboration with the WHO Vision and Eye Care Programme.

Photo credits: Mark Maina / The Fred Hollows Foundation.