IRAQI GIRL'S EYE SURGERY AT UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER LETS HER SEE LIGHT

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Iraqi girl's eye surgery at University of Rochester Medical Center lets her see light

Kate Perry • Staff writer • June 3, 2008

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For the first time in her life, 5-year-old Noor Al-Ithawi saw the light of day Monday.

The Iraqi girl underwent artificial corneal transplant surgery on her left eye Monday morning at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The surgery repaired some damage to her eyes caused by a birth defect called Peters anomaly. Another surgery will take place today.

NOTE: SUCCESSFUL PROCEDURE ALSO CREATES HOPE.

Noor, who lives in Baghdad, was selected for the surgery after lobbying by U.S. military officials who said her father was very helpful to their efforts in Iraq. The surgery was arranged and funded by the Los Angeles-based Eye Defects Research Foundation and Bausch and Lomb.

Dr. James Aquavella, a corneal surgeon with the UR Eye Institute who performed the surgery, said Noor's eye is covered with a bandage, but for a brief time Monday afternoon it was off and she could sense light and hand movements.

She was completely blind in both eyes before the surgery.

"Her cornea was totally opaque. It was like a white chalkboard. You couldn't see anything in, and she couldn't see anything out," he said.

Aquavella said Noor was groggy after surgery and it's uncertain if she understands what happened. Noor's mother, Shaymaa Al-Ithawi, never told the girl she was having surgery, so she wouldn't be scared. She has also wrestled with the right way to explain blindness to a young child who has never known sight.

Noor simply knows she is different, and Al-Ithawi, who spoke through an interpreter, said she's eager to see her daughter's response to her new sense.

"She's just praying for the day that Noor opens her eyes and sees her mother's face," said interpreter Aly Nahas, on behalf of Al-Ithawi.

This morning, Noor will have a second surgery to remove fibrous bands on her retina that threaten to contract and detach the vital tissue, permanently damaging her chances for sight. Retinal surgeons will also remove jelly-like fluid from the eye and replace it with clear liquid.

Aquavella said the second surgery will improve her vision even more, but it could be several weeks before the extent of Noor's vision is known. Al-Ithawi hopes her daughter will eventually be able to read with glasses so she can attend school. She and Noor leave for Iraq on Saturday.

NOTE: CRUCIAL AS IT MAY SEEM, BUT CHILDREN FINDS HOPE IN PROPER SURGERY.

KPERRY@DemocratandChronicle.com
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Noor Al-Ithawi, 5, and her mother, Shaymaa Al-Ithawi, share a moment before Noor's surgery Monday.

Noor Al-Ithawi, 5, and her mother, Shaymaa Al-Ithawi, share a moment before Noor's surgery Monday. (Provided photo)
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* Iraqi girl's eye surgery at University of Rochester Medical Center lets her see light

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