Miriam, Tulkarem, February 2012

Mariam is a three and a half year old girl who lives in Tulkarem, north-west of Nablus.

Her first contact with St John Eye Hospital was at the St John Satellite clinic in Anabta.  Her family had noticed her squinting and a local Optometrist had already prescribed glasses for her.  However, the family still considered Mariam’s squint to be unsightly.

At the Anabta Clinic, Mariam was examined by Dr Habes, Paediatric Ophthalmologist, Siw Westman, Orthoptist, and Habib, Optometrist. They confirmed that she was moderately long-sighted and that her family should encourage her to wear her glasses full-time, in order to know their full effect on her cosmetic appearance as well as her vision.

Mariam returned to Anabta clinic in February 2012, where she was examined by Younes Abdel Jawwad, a Hospital Group-trained Orthoptic Assistant. Her corrected vision was good and equal but her squint remained cosmetically unacceptable. Her family were keen to correct her squint early, so Dr Habes booked her for squint surgery in Jerusalem.

On 29th February 2012, Mariam reached St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem. She was wearing her glasses full time and her vision in each eye had improved well. Her squint still required attention.

The weather had been very wintery all month; rain, hail, wind and snow in some parts. Mariam had a cold and was breathing through her mouth, so she was seen by the St John Anaesthetist and an ENT specialist, who thankfully confirmed her fit for general aneasthesia, so her squint surgery went ahead as planned. She had one muscle operated on in each eye.

Mariam’s surgical result was excellent, but snow fell in Jerusalem on 1st March 2012, so she remained in hospital two days longer than normal, until the roads were clear for her to travel home. She has promised to wear her glasses full-time. 

Compiled by Judith Musallam
Head Orthoptist

*Our work treating young girls with squints in supported by Children of Peace