Baby Rita’s Story

Baby Is Just One of Thousands That Center of Excellence Helps

Hundreds of Armenian infants have been screened and have received medical treatment or laser surgery for ROP — saving them from a lifetime of blindness. This was not possible before the EyeCare Project launched its Infant Blindness Initiative and ROP Program in 2010. With no treatment available in Armenia, premature infants were blinded by ROP. One of these infants was Rita — a happy little girl with a big smile and bright Armenian Eyes.

Rita’s parents were thrilled when she was born — they had been trying to get pregnant for years. Unfortunately, soon after birth, Rita was diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a debilitating eye disease found in premature children that causes scarring and detachment of the retina. If left untreated, it could lead to blindness.

Like so many other families in Armenia, Rita’s parents could not afford the care necessary to save their daughter’s vision. Fortunately, Rita was able to receive help from the Armenian EyeCare Project. Following treatment, Rita is on her way to a full recovery as she visits the Center of Excellence for the Prevention of Childhood Blindness for regular visits and eye checkups.

Her parents are extremely grateful for the help they received. “We’re thankful to everyone… the doctors and nurses,” Rita’s father said. “We’re also thankful our own child is a strong and healthy kid.”