Hakim being examined by a Sightsavers’ eye specialist before her surgery in Pakistan. © Jamshyd Masud / Sightsavers

Hakim's Story

Hakim is a 65-year-old grandmother and lives in Pakistan with her family. In recent years she has suffered from repeated trachoma infections which have gradually developed into trichiasis. Trichiasis is where the eyelid turns inwards and the eyelashes rub against the eyeball causing pain, scarring and eventually can lead to blindness.

Hakim used to have to visit the local doctor every week to have her eyelashes removed but the eyelashes continued to grow back and rub against her eyeball causing her sight to deteriorate even further. She became more and more dependent on her family and began to feel down about losing her independence.

One day her son told her about some doctors from the Mayo Hospital in Lahore, who were in their village to provide free eye examinations and information on how to prevent the spread of trachoma in their community.

Hakim went along for an examination and was recommended for immediate eye surgery to help restore her sight and stop repeat infections. She was initially afraid that she would lose her sight completely as a result of the operation and wanted to go home rather than have the surgery. But after some encouragement and counseling from the Sightsavers' partners she agreed to have the surgery and it was a success.

Hakim is now back living a happy and independent life with her family.