A 7-year-old boy in West Africa who was going blind can now see again, thanks to life-changing eye surgery provided by the charity Mercy Ships.
Mamadou, whose last name was not released, was born with bilateral cataracts, a condition in which cataracts develop in both eyes before or shortly after birth.
When left untreated, the condition can lead to total blindness in some cases.
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“We suspect the cataracts were already there when Mamadou was born, but they slowly got worse,” Paul Rudalevicius, a volunteer ophthalmic surgeon with Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone, told Fox News Digital.
A 7-year-old boy in West Africa who was going blind can now see again, thanks to life-changing eye surgery provided by the charity Mercy Ships. (SWNS)
Hereditary cataracts and malnutrition are common causes of the disease, the doctor said.
Mamadou, who is from Waterloo, Sierra Leone, “couldn’t see much,” according to Ella Hawthorne, an optometrist who also works with Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone.
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“He noticed there was a light on, but he didn’t even realize a hand was being waved in front of his face,” she told Fox News Digital.
“He couldn’t really see much of the world around him.”
Mamadou's mother, Salematu, recalled the poor treatment her son received due to his visual impairment.
Mamadou is pictured before receiving treatment from the charity Mercy Ships. He had difficulty walking because he would trip over objects and could not see well enough to read or write. (SWNS)
“His friends always teased him and also laughed at him because of his condition,” she told Fox News Digital. “He was going to school, but he couldn’t see or write clearly.”
The boy also had difficulty walking and picking up objects and was very sensitive to sunlight.
A life-changing surgery
Salematu tried several times over the years to get her son the surgery he needed, but local hospitals wouldn't do it. Over time, his vision worsened.
Then, Mercy Ships docked its hospital ship, the Global Mercy, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to provide safe surgeries free of charge to residents – and Mamadou was selected.
“It was so wonderful to see him looking around and starting to notice the world.”
Hawthorne recalled his first meeting with the boy.
“Meeting Mamadou during patient selection here in Sierra Leone was simply special,” she told SWNS.
“He's wonderful and quiet at first, but as you get to know him more, he comes out of his shell and engages you.”
After surgery, doctors gave Mamadou a pair of UV sunglasses to wear while he got used to his new vision. (SWNS)
Time was of the essence for Mamadou's surgery, Dr. Rudalevicius noted. “If the cataracts are not removed soon, the brain will never learn to see.”
On February 7, assisted by a team of volunteer doctors, the doctor performed minor cataract surgery.
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Although the procedure only took two hours, it “represented the beginning of a new vision and future for Mamadou,” according to a press release from Mercy Ships.
When the eye patches were removed the next day, it was a little confusing and overwhelming at first, Mercy Ships noted, which is a normal reaction in children.
Mamadou is pictured after receiving eye surgery from charity Mercy Ships. Time was of the essence for Mamadou's surgery, his doctor noted. (SWNS)
“He looked around, trying to understand new information and identify unexpected objects,” the statement said.
“His brain was not yet used to processing such a high level of visual activity – but after seeing the crowd around him smile and wave, Mamadou quickly joined us, sharing his bright, captivating smile in return.”
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Doctors gave Mamadou a pair of UV sunglasses to wear while he got used to his new vision. The boy started playing with toys, coloring and riding his motorcycle around the ward.
Mamadou receives surgical treatment from the charity Mercy Ships in October 2024. (SWNS)
“Being able to witness the smudges being removed from his eyes was an absolute blessing and privilege,” Hawthorne told Fox News Digital.
“It was wonderful to see him looking around and starting to notice the world and being able to absorb some of the information around him.”
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“It was so special and you could see the joy that started to grow inside him. It was a great reminder of why I’m here and the impact our work is having.”
Looking ahead
A month after Mamadou's vision was restored, the boy and his mother returned to the ship for a “celebration of vision, a ceremony for patients who have undergone successful eye surgery,” according to Mercy Ships.
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Salematu shared her relief and happiness with the outcome.
“My son can see me!” she said. “My son can go back to the community and interact with other kids!”
After surgery, the boy started playing with toys, coloring and riding his motorcycle around the ward. (SWNS)
“Unlike before, Mamadou can now move without jumping or falling, even when the sun is out.”
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Salematu hopes that one day her son will grow up to become a doctor and make a difference on his own, according to the statement.
Rudalevicius added to Fox News Digital: “I hope he can go to school, learn, play with other children and in the future maybe support his family.”
