Blinded Teenager Makes Remarkable Recovery After Severe Eye Injury
15-year-old Dhikshit Anoop’s life changed drastically when a seemingly harmless incident in school resulted in a deep corneal tear and a traumatic cataract in his right eye. The severity of the injury left him blinded and in need of two surgeries and months of treatment to partially restore his sight. The accident occurred while his classmates were throwing ballpoint pens across the classroom, causing a life-long risk of blindness.
Dhikshit was rushed to the hospital about 4-5 hours after the incident, where he underwent the first surgery to put stitches in his eye. The purpose of this surgery was to prevent infection and further loss of sight. The delicate procedure, lasting about 45 minutes, secured the wound with stitches thinner than a human hair. Once the stitches healed after a month, Dhikshit went back for his second surgery to remove and replace the damaged structure of his eye, ultimately saving 75 to 80 percent of his eyesight.
The recovery period proved to be challenging for Dhikshit and his family, especially for a young football player who was restricted from playing sports or lifting heavy objects. However, the teenager remained strong throughout the ordeal, taking his medication, and maintaining regular eye care and doctor visits. His mother, Greeshma, credits the team of doctors at Aster Hospital Mankhool for their detailed explanations and expertise in handling his case.
Dr. Gazala Hasan Mansuri, one of the ophthalmologists who assisted in the case, emphasized the importance of timely management in traumatic eye injuries to prevent any exposure to infection. Dhikshit will have to wear glasses due to the altered corneal shape from the injury, even though he did not need them before. Despite the setback, his vision is gradually improving, currently up to 80 percent, with hopes for further improvement in the coming months.
Returning to school after the incident was a bittersweet moment for Dhikshit, as he had to miss playing for the under-15 football tournament in October. However, his teachers and friends were thrilled to have him back, showcasing the teenager’s resilience and positive outlook on his recovery journey. His mother expressed gratitude for Dhikshit’s strength and composure, highlighting his maturity and courage throughout the challenging period.