Mahir D., 1

Mahir Dacter is a one-month-old baby boy whose tiny smile brings hope to his parents, elder sister Muskan, uncle Faysal, and grandmother Delowara despite the family’s difficult circumstances. His father, Shofiqul Islam Rasel, is the only earning member of their six-person household, working long hours at a sweetmeat shop for only BDT 9,000 per month, which is barely enough for basic necessities and leaves the family unable to afford Mahir’s specialized eye treatment. After already requiring NICU care and phototherapy soon after birth, Mahir has now been diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in both eyes, requiring timely treatment and careful follow-up. Without treatment, abnormal retinal blood vessels may continue to grow and cause scarring or retinal detachment, resulting in irreversible visual impairment or permanent blindness.

According to Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Sheikh, Chief Consultant, and Dr. Md Saiful Islam, ROP Specialist at Mazharul Haque BNSB Eye Hospital, Chandpur, Mahir urgently requires Anti-VEGF Injection such as Avastin Injection in both eyes along with regular retinal follow-up examinations to stop the abnormal blood vessel growth and protect her vision. The doctors explained that early treatment offers a very high chance of saving her eyesight and allowing her retina to develop more normally. If the injections are administered in time, Mahir may grow up with functional vision and live a healthy, independent life like other children. However, if treatment is delayed, the disease may rapidly worsen and cause permanent blindness that cannot be reversed later, even with surgery.