Ra’fat and Aseel Yaseen, Asseralh Elshamalieh in Nablus, July 2011

Ra’fat, 22, and Aseel, 20, are siblings from Nablus. They live with their parents and six brothers and sisters in a two bedroom apartment in Asseralh Elshamalieh, Nablus city. Only their mother is able to work and the family live on less than700 NIS (US$150) a month.

Both Ra’fat and Aseel came to the Anabta Centre suffering from deteriorating vision. It was there they were diagnosed with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in working age populations across the globe. The condition damages the retina, specifically the blood vessels within the retina, caused by the complications of suffering from diabetes. It can eventually lead to blindness if left untreated.

Without early diagnosis, the probability of complications arising from diabetes increases.  Diabetic retinopathy affects up to 80% of all patients who have had diabetes for ten years or more.  A diabetic is 25 times more likely to go blind than a person in the general population. 

Aseel had been diagnosed with diabetes when she was four years old and her brother was thirteen before measures were taken to control his diabetes. In reference to a study conducted by Birzeit University, an average of 12.6% of the Palestinian population suffers from diabetes[1]. This is classified as a pandemic status. In comparison the UK average prevalence for diabetes is 4%[2]. Living in poverty can double or even triple the likelihood of developing the disease[3] through factors such as poor nutrition, stress and a lack of understanding and education of the disease.

The brother and sister’s Visual Acuity was measured followed by a Refraction and Retinal examination by an ophthalmologist.

They were then both referred to undergo Laser treatment at our Anabta Centre. The doctor reported that the treatment will maintain their current vision and improve their sight in future. Aseel’s and Rafa’t’s parents were delighted that the doctor could use Laser surgery at the Anabta Centre and thus save their sight. The brother and sister felt very happy that they found a centre that took such good care of diabetic patients and had experts who knew how to help with their condition. It has been recommended by the doctor that they will both need Laser Eye treatment and regular checkups, both of which will take place at our Anabta Clinic and be funded by the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group.

We were able to help Ra’fat and Aseel because of the support of our friends and benefactors. Please help us to continue saving the sight of people like Ra’fat and Aseel. Thank you.

[1] . (The Metabolic Syndrome in the West Bank Population – Diabetes Care, Hanan F. Abdul-Rahim, MSc, Institute of Community and Public Health).

 [2] http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Reports/Diabetes_in_the_UK_2010.pdf

[3] http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/articles/diabetes-news/10126-poverty-a-...