Cross-border triumph: Pakistani regains vision after Indian doctor's surgery in Sri Lanka

A remarkable event unfolded earlier this month in a story highlighting the power of regional cooperation and perseverance.

As reported by the Times of India, a 30-year-old man from Lahore, Pakistan, who lost vision due to a tragic accident, underwent a successful eye surgery in Colombo, Sri Lanka. But this was not just another medical procedure; an Indian, Dr. Quresh Maskati, went to Sri Lanka to perform this surgery.

Four years ago, the patient was cleaning his attic when in a freak accident the content of an alkaline bottle poured onto his eyes and face, severely damaging his right eye and significantly comprising the vision in his left eye.

Despite multiple corneal transplant attempts, he could not regain his sight. Desperate for hope, he was referred to Dr. Maskati, a prominent Mumbai-based eye surgeon known for his expertise with artificial corneas.

The doctor first evaluated the patient during a medical conference in Pakistan, recognizing that an artificial cornea might be the only solution to restore partial vision.

Despite months of follow-ups, the visa applications were repeatedly denied and it looked like the efforts to perform the surgery had hit a wall.

However, Dr. Maskati refused to give up. “As I was scheduled to go to Colombo for a conference, I approached the Sri Lankan Medical Council for a license to operate on the patient there, and they agreed,” said Dr. Maskati.

With the assistance of a local eye surgeon, they arranged for the operation in Colombo on September 13.

Within 48 hours of the operation, the patient’s partial vision was restored, almost a miracle for someone who had not seen his loved ones clearly for four years. He returned to Lahore on September 24, where he saw his seven-year-old daughter for the first time.

The joy in his voice was palpable as he recounted his story to the Times of India: “I can finally see my family again.”

Dr. Maskati’s determination, supported by the Sri Lankan medical community, ultimately brought light back into a man’s world. In an era where geopolitics often obstructs cooperation, this story stands as a testament to the human spirit’s ability to transcend boundaries for the greater good.