John W., 10

John Waweru is a 10-year-old boy living at Garden Home and School Children’s Home in Uthiru, which houses around 200 children who rely on well-wishers for food and general support. In his free time, John enjoys playing football and listening to music. He dreams of becoming a doctor in the future. John was born with bilateral ptosis and esotropia, conditions that were further aggravated by an eye injury he sustained a year ago. Since the trauma, his vision has continued to deteriorate.

John presented on 15/05/2025 as a referral from Helpster Charity Medical Camp with loss of vision on the left eye resulting from being hit by an object years ago. He was seen by the clinician on duty and diagnosed with trauma induced blindness, booked for an ophthalmology review on 19/05/2025 after which Bilateral frontal sling suspension was scheduled. He was admitted for the surgery on 18/07/2025 and later discharged on 21/07/2025. A week later, he was reviewed and found to be recuperating well. A control call was made one month later and found out that John is back to himself and in school.

The prognosis following bilateral ptosis correction using frontalis sling suspension is generally favorable, especially when the surgery is performed early and by an experienced ophthalmic surgeon. However, outcomes depend on several factors including the severity of ptosis, the child’s overall health, the material used for the sling, and the presence of other eye conditions In children, visual development must be closely monitored post-surgery and regular follow-up is crucial to assess vision, eye alignment, and sling performance. As the child grows, adjustment or revision may be required. Surgical correction significantly improves visual outcomes and quality of life.