Janaki, a 21-year-old woman from Nepal, regained her eyesight after 19 years of living in near-complete darkness. Blind since the age of two, she had never imagined that she would one day be able to see again. But a free eye surgery camp changed her life forever.
For years, Janaki and her family had tried everything—from traditional healing to hospitals—but nothing worked. One of her eyes was completely blind, and the other could only see blurred objects from afar. She grew up depending on sounds and touch, using a walking stick to move around. “I never thought I’d see the world like this. It feels like a dream,” Janaki said with a smile after her surgery.
Her miracle happened at a free eye screening camp organized by Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, in coordination with Mandavi Rural Municipality, at Devisthan Health Post. Janaki, full of hope but not high expectations, reached the camp with the help of her caregiver.
Doctors discovered that Janaki had cataracts, but her retina was healthy. With this positive sign, they decided to go ahead with the surgery. After the successful operation by Dr. Pradeep Bastola from Rapti Eye Hospital, Janaki finally saw the world clearly for the first time in nearly two decades.
Dr. Bastola, who has been working in eye care for over 25 years, said, “It was an emotional moment for all of us. Helping someone see again after 19 years is rare and beautiful.”
On the same day, free cataract surgeries were performed for 50 elderly individuals at the camp. But it was Janaki’s story that truly stood out—proof that even the smallest ray of hope can light up a life.