CASE STORIES
A Second Chance at Sight: Kabita Rai’s Journey to RecoveryKabita Rai, a 42-year-old woman from Jaldhaka, Kalimpong, spent years working as a beautician in Kerala, unaware of the risks her profession posed to her eye health. Daily exposure to cosmetic chemicals and smoke caused severe irritation, but she ignored the symptoms—until her vision started to decline.
Over 7 to 8 months, Kabita developed light sensitivity, night blindness, and gradual vision loss. When her condition became unbearable, she sought medical help in Bangalore, where doctors diagnosed her with retinal detachment and recommended urgent surgery. However, the high cost made treatment impossible. Determined to find help closer to home, Kabita returned to Siliguri, where a relative suggested visiting Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital. There, she was diagnosed with retinal detachment and cataracts in both eyes, with her vision significantly deteriorated. She was referred to Dr. Debarati Dasgupta, a highly skilled vitreoretinal surgeon, who devised a treatment plan involving multiple surgeries over time to restore and preserve her vision.With the support of her family and the hospital, Kabita underwent the necessary treatments.
After three months, her vision improved significantly, now measuring 6/24 P in both eyes. She remains hopeful for further recovery through ongoing medication and check-ups.
Grateful for her second chance at sight, Kabita has become a vocal advocate for eye health awareness, especially for those in high-risk professions. She urges others to prioritize regular check-ups and early intervention, knowing firsthand how neglecting eye health can have life-changing consequences.Her journey is a powerful reminder that timely medical care can restore not just vision, but hope and independence.
Kunzang Namgyal Bhutia now 71 is the eldest son of the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shree and Arjuna Award winner honourable Late. Sonam Gyatso the first person from Sikkim and also the oldest in the world at that time to scale Mount Everest in 1965.
An ardent follower of Buddhism Sir Kunzang was Senior Officer at Excise Office of Joint Commissioner of Sikkim and has been treating the less privileged using acupressure since last 30 years. His chest broadens up sharing the reminiscence of his family. He remembers having a slight tissue lump in his eye even as a child. A pinkish, triangular tissue growth on the cornea of the eye called Pterygium. As he aged the lump grew and somehow started to affect his vision. With his daughter living abroad in Australia Yanden, his wife didn’t took a chance in delaying treatment and both took informed decision to visit the hospital.
At the hospital senior eye surgeon, Dr. Kishore Paul took the case very delicately and Sir Kunzang underwent surgery for Pterygium. The operation was a success and we could only find smiles and heartwarming stories shared with us for hours with only pride in his heart. And he took with him trust to only multiply.
