In Ghana, we’ve beaten trachoma and changed millions of lives

When eye health workers visited sisters Barikisu and Ayishetu, both midwives, they found they were struggling to do their job and deliver babies because trachoma was robbing them of their sight.

The sisters could hardly see, and could only walk the short distance between their houses. But after having surgery, they can now see, travel and deliver babies again.

“I can’t remember exactly how long I’ve had this problem – more than a year,” said Ayishetu. “It felt like there was something in my eye, a pricking sensation and a lot of pain. I could help the new mothers bathe their babies, but I couldn’t deliver like I used to. It was hard to see the mothers in labour and not be able to help. I had difficulty carrying out daily tasks – I could only see blurriness.

“I didn’t know there was a solution to this problem – I was only praying, just waiting to be blind. When they told us we could be helped, I was happy and I felt that my prayers had been answered.”

Fuleira had struggled with eye problems for at least two years, which had left her feeling isolated – she couldn’t attend any of the local community events with her neighbours and friends. She was also unable to continue her job in the market, where she worked before her eyesight failed.

“It started with itching, then later it felt like there was something in my eyes and they started watering,” she explained. “Before the surgery I couldn’t visit people, or go to funerals and naming ceremonies. That made me feel very uncomfortable: if they give you an invitation and you don’t respond, when your own comes people will not attend.

“When they told me that they were going to do the operation, I didn’t know what to say – I was happy, very happy! Now I can see again. If I get money I will go back to the market to continue my business. Now I can see my children and grandchildren – I can see the food I am eating.

“There is so much improvement in my vision – it’s normal again. I can see very far and there is no more pain.”

Rahinatu had suffered years of unbearable pain in her eyes, and her eyesight was so poor she had been unable to walk very far. She was forced to stay indoors, isolated from her normal life – she had never even seen her granddaughter Miriam’s face.

After being diagnosed with advanced trachoma, called trichiasis, she was able to have straightforward surgery to restore her vision and stop the pain. By coincidence, the operation coincided with Miriam’s naming ceremony, and her village was buzzing with activity and excitement as friends and neighbours gathered to celebrate. Just before the ceremony began, Rahinatu had her bandages removed and found she could see Miriam’s face for the first time. The look on Rahinatu’s face was pure joy.

“My eye feels better – it’s comfortable now,” she explained. “I’m happy, I want all the people who have helped to be my friends. At first I didn’t want to have surgery, but I went through it successfully so I thank god for that.

“Before the surgery I couldn’t walk, I was just indoors and I couldn’t go outside. Now I can go about my activities – I can pray, I can bathe, I can go to the washroom by myself. I can be deeply involved in the naming ceremony today – I can see my grandchild and hold her.”

Zeinab had such advanced trichiasis that she was struggling to cope with the daily demands of life, which included cooking and caring for her daughter, who has physical disabilities.

“My eyelashes were always pricking me, and when I went in the sun it hurt my eyes,” she explained. “When I looked at something I just saw shining, like there was water on my eyes. But I was forced to carry on as I’m the only one who can take care of my daughter, who is sick. She has problems with her legs.”

At first, Zeinab was afraid and refused the offer of surgery. But after some gentle reassurance, all it took was a 20-minute operation, carried out in her home, and years of pain, discomfort and suffering were over.

“When the bandages came off I was very happy – I could see things I couldn’t see before. I missed a lot of things before the operation. I could recognise some of my family, some of the children, but others I couldn’t. I am happy I can see. Everybody’s happy now that grandma can see.”