Ayef P., 1

Ayef Patwary, a one-month-old premature twin, has already endured more hardship than most face in a lifetime. Born at just 34 weeks, both he and his twin brother, Tayef, survived after weeks in the NICU but were later diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a serious eye condition that could cause permanent blindness if left untreated. Their father, Masud Patwary, works as a carpenter earning only 6,000 BDT per month — barely enough to provide food and schooling for their two older children, Mahinoor and Nafis, and care for the newborn twins. The family lives in a small tin-shed home with minimal facilities, struggling each day to meet basic needs, making the cost of urgent eye treatment impossible to afford. They learned about Helpster Charity through Nasima Akhter, a counselor from Mazharul Haque BNSB Eye Hospital in Chandpur, and now cling to the hope that timely support can save their babies’ eyesight and give them a chance at a brighter future.

Ayef Patwary, a 1-month-old baby girl, was diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in both eyes, a serious condition that required urgent medical attention to prevent vision loss. To manage the abnormal growth of retinal blood vessels, Anti-VEGF injections were administered by Dr. Md. Saiful Islam, the hospital’s ROP Specialist. The treatment was conducted with great care, and her condition was closely monitored through regular follow-up visits. Ayef responded positively to the therapy, showing gradual improvement in her retinal health. The abnormal blood vessel growth is now under control, and her retinal condition has stabilized. With continued observation, doctors are hopeful that she will develop clear and healthy vision as she grows. Special thanks to Helpster Charity and Helpster Heroes for their generous support in helping safeguard her eyesight.

According to Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain, Chief Consultant, and Dr. Md. Saiful Islam, ROP Specialist at Mazharul Haque BNSB Eye Hospital, Chandpur, baby Ayef Patwary requires immediate Anti-VEGF (Avastin) injections in both eyes, followed by close follow-up examinations to monitor progress. The doctors are confident that if treated now, the baby’s vision can be completely preserved, giving him the opportunity to grow up with normal eyesight and lead a productive, independent life. However, if the treatment is delayed or left undone, the abnormal retinal vessels will continue to grow, resulting in retinal detachment and permanent blindness in both eyes. The prognosis is excellent with prompt intervention, but very poor without treatment. The doctors strongly recommend urgent financial and medical assistance to prevent this devastating outcome.