Hamlet’s Story

A Teacher’s Sight is Restored

When the bandages are removed from Hamlet’s eye following his cataract surgery it is truly a miraculous moment.

Hamlet’s story is like so many others in Armenia. Cataracts are easily corrected with a simple, 15-minute surgery. Yet, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the developing world because the surgery is inaccessible for so many — geographically and financially. Today in Armenia just one out of four people who need cataract surgery are able to have the cataract surgery they need. This leaves many unable to work and care for their families and contribute to their communities. They become a burden rather than a contributing member of society. With the numbers increasing because of an aging population there is a cataract crisis looming in Armenia!

A teacher, Hamlet was unable to work because of his eyesight and the cost of surgery and the travel to Yerevan was out of his reach. It wasn’t until the AECP Mobile Eye Hospital came to his village that he was able to have surgery on both eyes at no cost — the EyeCare Project treats all patients on the government’s “Paros” or poverty list at no cost. Cataract surgery changed Hamlet’s life and he was able to return to teaching — the profession he loved — and become a contributing member of his community. Along with Hamlet, his students were thrilled!