Abu Dhabi: Life-changing surgery helps mother see her children clearly again
But after moving to the UAE three years ago, a comprehensive assessment at Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi revealed how advanced her condition had become, and she was put on a treatment plan.
Now, the 34-year-old Indonesian mother of two can see her children's faces clearly again. 'When the bandages came off, the first thing I saw clearly was my daughter's smile. It felt like a second life,' said Ellyzabeth. 'The Moorfields team treated me with such care and gave me back my confidence, and for that I am extremely grateful."
Her journey to restored vision began with a fresh assessment by Dr Usman Mahmood, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 network. While Ellyzabeth had been previously diagnosed with glaucoma in Indonesia, the examination in Abu Dhabi revealed more complex issues, including dense cataracts in both eyes and strabismus, or squint, that caused eye misalignment and further blurred her vision. 'The cataracts stemmed from chronic uveitis, affecting the back of the eye,' said Dr Mahmood. 'We needed to remove them under steroid control before we could correct her alignment. It demanded close collaboration across our sub-specialities.'
Ellyzabeth underwent a carefully staged surgical plan, beginning with cataract removal in both eyes — left first, then right. 'Comprehensive testing is vital in complex cases like Ellyzabeth's,' Dr Mahmood explained. 'Addressing the cataracts first allowed us to accurately measure her squint and plan the second procedure, ultimately giving her the best possible outcome. I'm pleased to see that her vision improved significantly, along with her quality of life, and she seems very happy.'
She was then referred to Dr Irfan Khan, Consultant Ophthalmologist, who performed strabismus correction surgery to realign her eyes and restore binocular vision. 'There is a common misconception that squint surgery cannot be performed in eyes which have poor vision - that's a myth,' said Dr Khan. 'If the surgery is performed properly and is successful, patients can maintain good ocular alignment for the rest of their lives. I'm so pleased with the outcome we were able to deliver for Ellyzabeth.' According to specialists, if left untreated, her vision would have continued to deteriorate, possibly to the point where she would no longer be able to read, care for her children, or safely navigate her environment.
'She couldn't see more than three metres ahead,' recalled Ellyzabeth's husband, Mochamad Soleh Wicaksono. 'While our doctor in Indonesia found glaucoma, they couldn't take any action because the nerve was too thin.' He described the treatment and procedures performed at Moorfields as a 'miracle' for his wife's sight. 'She used to know people by the sound of their voice - now she can see everyone, and that has changed our lives.'
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