“It feels like sand in my eyes”

Seven years of agonising trachoma almost cost Mohamed his eyesight. Will you help more children like him?

Mohamed lives in Tanzania and had trachoma at just two years old. The condition eventually progressed to advanced trachoma, also known as trichiasis. For seven years of his life, Mohamed lived in agony.

We met Mohamed before he received his sight-saving surgery. Here is his story in his and his grandmother’s words.

“My name’s Mohamed and I’m nine years old. I have a younger brother named Hassan.

“I don’t know what the problem is with my eyes, but when closing and opening them I can see hair scratching my eyes. It feels like sand moving up and down, and it’s very painful. My mother buys me medicine and applies it to my eyes, but it doesn’t make them any better.

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Mohamed sits outside his home in Tanzania with his grandmother, Sophia. — Mohamed’s family started noticing the symptoms of trachoma when he was two years old.

Mohamed sits down and looks up while his eyes are being examined. — Seven years later, it had developed into trichiasis – the advanced form of trachoma.

Sophia, Mohamed's grandmother, checks Mohamed's infected eyes. — He would describe his pain to grandmother Sophia as “unbearable”. Sophia could feel his pain and wondered if he would ever get better.

Mohamed has his eyes examined outdoors — A Sightsavers-supported case finder helped Mohamed get a diagnosis. He had trichiasis and was at risk of blindness.

“I can’t see properly, so now I’m not going to school. I would really love to study when I get better. I like going to school, where I can meet my friends and play with them. But when it’s sunny, the pain is so bad in my eyes that I can’t play football.”

I feel so sorry that I can’t go to school with my friends. When they go to school, I have to stay behind.

Nine-year-old Mohamed

Mohamed stands outside alone under a tree. He struggles to keep his eyes open due to the pain of trachoma.

“Not being able to go to school is something that not only makes me sad, but also my mother. My mother bought me sunglasses to help me see in the sunlight. They do help, but my eyes are still painful.

“When I grow up, I want to become a watchman and use the money I earn to build a house, buy a car and open a big shop. My shop will sell things like pancakes, biscuits and juice.”

Mohamed sits in a car waiting to be taken to the hospital for his trichiasis operation. His grandmother, Sophia, is sat next to him.

Following his diagnosis of advanced trachoma, Mohamed was sent to hospital for an operation. His grandmother Sophia travelled with him.

After Mohamed’s sight-saving operation, we spoke to his grandmother, Sophia.

“Before his operation, Mohamed couldn’t even look at you. And if he looked at you, you couldn’t see his eyes. He couldn’t play with his friends comfortably. He only used to play for a few minutes, and most days he would stay in the house. After the treatment, he was able to play with the other children that same week.

“I used to feel Mohamed’s pain and would ask myself: ‘Will my grandson ever get better so that I can play with him, or maybe for him to see?’ I used to feel so bad about it, but I saw the difference after they removed the bandages.”

From sadness to smiles, see the huge transformation in the image gallery below.

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Four surgeons operate on Mohamed's eyes. — Mohamed’s trachoma had progressed to its advanced form – trichiasis. He received an operation to save his sight.

Mohamed lies on a hospital bed with bandages over his eyes. His grandmother, Sophia, sits with him. — Sophia stayed close to Mohamed while they were at the hospital.

Mohamed smiles while holding a school literacy workbook. His eyes are open. — Following his operation, Mohamed was finally able to fully open his eyes and return to school. He really enjoys studying.

Mohamed plays football outside with a friend. — When we visited Mohamed at home following his surgery, it was a delight to find him playing football with his friends.

Mohamed plays outside with other children. — After receiving the treatment he desperately needed, Mohamed can now play outside with other children, like his brother Hassan.

Mohamed and Sophia walk outside their home in Tanzania. — Sophia has enjoyed being able to play with her grandson and take him on trips to the farm.

Mohamed smiles while carrying a pile of dishes. — Now that sunlight doesn’t cause pain for Mohamed, he has started to spend significantly more time outside.

Mohamed sits outside with his family. They are all smiling and laughing together. — Mohamed and his family are happy about the new opportunities he now has in his future.

“Now, I play with him. At home, he likes to study and at school he attends remedial classes. Sometimes, he sits with his friends and they study together, and sometimes they play games.

“I remember the first day Mohamed could see clearly. That day the medical staff came and allowed him to go outside and play, and told him that he could go outside and do all these things. Mohamed was so happy that day, he went out and played with his friends, then came back and went to football practice.”

He felt some sort of comfort in his heart.

Sophia, Mohamed’s grandmother

Mohamed sits outside on a blanket with his grandmother, Sophia. They are smiling.

Mohamed’s transformation is profound, but no child should have to suffer for so long before getting the treatment they need. Children are at risk of losing their sight permanently from trachoma if they don’t get the urgent surgery they need.

Will you help us find and treat more children, and end the pain of trachoma?

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“It feels like sand in my eyes”

Seven years of agonising trachoma almost cost Mohamed his eyesight. Will you help more children like him?

Following his diagnosis of advanced trachoma, Mohamed was sent to hospital for an operation. His grandmother Sophia travelled with him.

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