In Mozambique, where access to eye care is severely limited, Dr. Isaac Vasco da Gama is working to change the lives of children with preventable vision problems. As one of only three pediatric ophthalmologists in the country, he performs life-altering surgeries and provides glasses to children who might otherwise face a lifetime of impaired vision. His efforts are particularly critical in a nation of 30 million people, where awareness of eye health is low and resources are scarce.
Dr. da Gama’s work extends beyond the operating room. He collaborates with organizations like Light for the World to train nurses, teachers, and community health workers to identify vision issues early. Through mobile clinics and outreach programs, he travels to remote areas to perform surgeries and educate families about treatable conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and strabismus. These efforts are slowly shifting cultural attitudes, encouraging families to seek medical help rather than turning to traditional healers.
The impact of untreated vision problems is profound. Children with uncorrected impairments are less likely to attend school, and those who do often struggle to keep up with their peers. Simple interventions, like glasses or a 15-minute cataract surgery, can dramatically improve a child’s ability to learn and thrive. For example, Aminata Kaba, an 18-year-old student, saw her grades improve after receiving glasses through a school screening program.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Many children, like 3-year-old Grace, arrive too late for treatment. Grace suffered from retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer, and though Dr. da Gama removed the tumor, the disease had already spread. Her story underscores the urgent need for early detection and accessible care.
Dr. da Gama remains hopeful. “I do believe that by pushing forward, we can slowly overcome this challenge,” he said in an interview with The New York Times. His dedication is not only saving sight but also shaping the futures of Mozambique’s children, one pair of glasses or one surgery at a time.
Read the article by Stephanie Nolen in the January 28, 2025 issue of The New York Times: Saving Children’s Eyesight and Their Future in Mozambique (free article)
Read the article from November 29, 2023 by Light for the World: The first paediatric ophthalmologist in Mozambique is fighting for better child eye health
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