Human Stories - Pitabas

Pitabas Maharana, a 66-year-old tailor from Balipadar in Ganjam district, Odisha, faced a significant setback when his vision began to deteriorate. Diagnosed with cataract in his right eye and a more serious condition, Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) with Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) in his left eye, Pitabas's livelihood was severely impacted.

As the sole breadwinner for a family of five, Pitabas's diminishing vision posed a significant threat to his ability to work. With his tailoring skills compromised, his income dwindled, plunging his family into financial hardship. The weight of his deteriorating health and the growing financial burden deeply affected Pitabas, leaving him feeling like a burden to his family.

Pitabas learned about ECOS Eye Hospital through a community outreach program sponsored by CBM. ECOS Eye Hospital camp vision technician after counseling Pitabas and his family, facilitated their visit to the hospital.

At ECOS Eye Hospital, Pitabas underwent a comprehensive evaluation. While cataract surgery was performed on his right eye, the treatment for his left eye, affected by CRVO and CME, required a different approach. CRVO occurs when a vein in the retina becomes blocked, leading to fluid buildup and damage to the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. CME is a condition where fluid accumulates within the macula, further impairing vision.

To address these conditions, Pitabas received anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) injections, specifically ranibizumab, a medication designed to inhibit the growth of abnormal blood vessels and reduce fluid buildup in the macula.

The treatment proved successful, resulting in significant improvement in Pitabas's vision in both eyes. With his eyesight restored, he was once again able to resume his tailoring work, providing much-needed relief to his family.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Pitabas and his family expressed their heartfelt appreciation to ECOS Eye Hospital and CBM International for the life-changing care they received. Pitabas's story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of advanced eye care and the importance of community outreach programs in bringing quality healthcare to underserved populations.