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Girl, 11, returns to Guyana after eye surgery in Trinidad
Paula Ann Cottom, the 11-year-old girl who left for Trinidad and Tobago
Paula Ann Cottom sitting comfortably in her couch at her father’s home after returning from an eye surgery in Trinidad and Tobago
to undergo an eye surgery returned home yesterday after a successful operation.
The girl who lives in East Ruimveldt spent the past two weeks in the twin-island Republic where she underwent a vitreo retinal surgery with hopes of saving the sight in her left eye.
According to her visually impaired father, Paul Cottom, his daughter started suffering from a complicated cataract which later resulted in her being blind in the right eye.
It was recently that she became diagnosed with “Inferior Retinal Detachment with macula involvement with Development Cataract” in her left eye.
The surgery was originally dated for February 28, 2012, however; Paul was unable to raise the sum of US $3,325 to meet that date.
Kaieteur News understands that the father struggled to raise the large sum of money for his daughter’s eye surgery but he never gave up hope.
After receiving donations from organisations such as the United Women for Special Children (UWSC) which assisted with US $1,000 and the Ministry of Health’s contribution of US $2,000, Paul continued to raise funds to meet the target.
This also included money for their meals and accommodation in the foreign country during their required stay.
As news spread about the young girl’s condition the Visually Impaired Cultural Association of Guyana (VICAG) also donated $20,000 to the fund.
The St. Angela’s Primary School student who recently wrote the National Grade Six Assessment Examinations also received donations from other voluntary groups and businesses.
Paul, who has been suffering from cataract in both eyes for almost six years, said although he was unable to recognize the disease in his eyes from an early stage, he was fortunate to be able to help his daughter.
“I did all that was possible to send her for the surgery and I want to thank God, all the organisations, churches and individuals in supporting her to get the surgery done in Trinidad.”
He told this newspaper that while his daughter does not seem to be suffering from any side effects she cannot wash her face or allow any particles to enter her left eye. She has already lost the sight in the other eye.
Paula is also unable to comb her hair or brush her teeth since jerks or movements can cause the liquid in her eye to shift from its location.
“She can’t do anything like that or even shake her head much because the surgery done was to correct a detachment to allow her to see. The oil or liquid that they use to do so is inside her eye and has to be at one location to draw the detachments together so if she shifts abruptly or hard it will come out of place.”
The 11-year-old on her hospital bed in Trinidad and Tobago moments before undergoing her eye surgery
The little girl told this publication that she is not feeling any pain or suffering from headaches as some would expect.
“I am not getting headache and nothing is hurting. The only thing is that I can’t see too well in the eye as yet. I am seeing blurry for now.”
Her father explained that Paula is expected to return between three and six months to have a lens placed in her left eye. She is also required to have continuous check-ups in the interim.
As it relates to additional financial aid, Paul told Kaieteur News that he is unaware of this at the moment. However; he noted that when she is slated to return to Trinidad and Tobago they will need assistance for travelling expenses.
“A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was giving me two tickets before she left to go to Trinidad but we already had tickets booked. So I am hoping that they will be willing to offer us again two tickets when the time comes for her return for the second leg of her operation,” Paul added. (Kristen Macklingam)
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