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Surgery helps wounded Iraq boy's aunt see clearly

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Until she accompanied her nephew to the United States, Batool Al-Hakeem never knew she needed surgery to see clearly.

The 55-year-old Iraqi woman came to Hilton Head Island with 7-year-old Haider Emad Al-Darausha. He is here through the Gift of Life program to undergo reconstructive surgery on his face, hands and legs following injuries he suffered in a mortar attack when he was 2-years-old.

One of their host families, Isam and Kristen Sakati, noticed that Batool didn't see well. When she read, she held the book only inches from her eyes and was constantly straining to see.

Though it's unusual to provide surgery to the child's guardian, the program's founder and medical director Dr. Robert Laughlin asked Dr. Rich Blake to evaluate Batool's eyesight.

Blake diagnosed severe cataracts in both eyes and said Batool needed surgery right away.

"I got really excited when she came in because I knew we could change her life," Blake said. "And I really think these cataracts grew slowly. I think she really didn't know what she was missing."

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye that blurs vision and is the No. 1 cause of blindness. Aging is the primary factor.

Last week, Blake operated on Batool's left eye. On Wednesday, he performed surgery on her right eye.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, which owns the island hospital, helped with the costs of the operations, and Texas-based Alcon donated Batool's new lenses.

Blake said the lenses are the most advanced available and allow Batool to see near and far without glasses.

In Wednesday's 30-minute operation, Blake used a basic salt solution to break up the cataract and remove it. Registered Nurse Barbara Graves compares it to taking the chocolate out of an M&M and then re-filling it. The new lens unfolds inside the eye and forms to its shape.

Batool can expect a little irritation over the next few days, but should be able to see clearer starting today, Blake said.

Before and after the surgery, Batool couldn't contain her gratitude, constantly thanking Blake and giving him a few kisses on the cheek.

"Whenever I look at anything and I see things clearly, I pray for you and your family," she said through her translator.

Batool was given large, movie-star sunglasses after the operation and sat in the recovery room sipping orange juice as Blake filled out her chart.

"When I go to pilgrimage in Mecca, I will pray for you," she said. "Thank you, doctor. Thank you very much."

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