UAE: Blind since age 10, woman gets sight back after 30 years of wrong diagnosis
Hanaa Mahdi Saleh Ali spent three decades living without clarity in her vision. Hanaa Mahdi Saleh Ali abandoned her hope of restoring her sight until she traveled to the UAE to visit an eye hospital in Abu Dhabi.
Hanaa who was born in Yemen stated that she could not envision a life in which she regained her sight. At the age of 10 she became blind.
Her father searched for medical expertise from eye specialists across the globe but all assessments confirmed vision loss from night blindness and severe cataracts. She was only able to perceive indistinct lights while she battled with everyday tasks others considered simple.
Medics told Hanaa multiple times that she would remain blind forever. It turned out there was hope.
A ray of hope
Her sister residing in the UAE discovered Moorfields Eye Hospital in Abu Dhabi's advanced treatment technologies in 2024. She strongly recommended Hanaa to think about the option of regaining her vision at that hospital.
Hanaa visited Dr Syed M Asad Ali who serves as a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital after she arrived in Abu Dhabi.
Doctors confirmed that Hanaa suffered from gyrate atrophy which is a rare genetic disease along with advanced cataracts and cystoid macular edema after their detailed examination. The case posed numerous challenges yet provided Hanaa with hope for recovery.
The loss of my vision during my youth resulted in missing many basic life pleasures such as outdoor playtime, reading books, and regular eating habits. The news about the hospital gave me hope for possible restoration of my vision," she commented.
Hanaa suffers from gyrate atrophy which represents a rare genetic disorder that leads to increased levels of the substance known as ornithine. Ophthalmologists diagnose this condition by reviewing medical history and conducting eye examinations along with genetic tests and retinal imaging. Removing Hanaa’s cataracts with ultrasound needed meticulous preparation combined with exact surgical work while ensuring the patient understood all potential risks.
Complex surgery
Dr Asad Ali successfully restored Hanaa's vision after 30 years of blindness through surgeries on her eyes in November 2024.
Hanaa received an initial diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa along with congenital cataracts but further examinations led to the discovery of her actual condition which is gyrate atrophy accompanied by advanced cataracts and cystoid macular edema. Dr Asad Ali explained that both medical conditions result in peripheral vision loss and retinal changes.
A new beginning
Hanaa couldn't thank the Abu Dhabi doctors enough for the "biggest blessing" she has received: The restoration of her ability to see her family members' faces filled her with gratitude.
The last time I saw clearly was 30 years ago. She stated that despite the many years passing since then she can still see with clear memory the faces of her family as well as the sky and trees along with the sea.
According to Hanaa everything became precious once she regained her vision.
Hanaa expressed her gratitude towards the hospital staff and Dr. Esmaeil Mohammad Arbabi who provided her with outstanding support. Hanaa expresses her daily appreciation to them through her prayers for their work.
Dr Asad Ali took pride in the surgical outcome's achievements. Hanaa continues her aftercare back home and we maintain contact to monitor her long-term well-being, said Dr Asad Ali while expressing his excitement about her progress.
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