Surgeons restore eyesight of 101-year-old man in rare cataract surgery success in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

In a rare medical success, surgeons at a Rawalpindi-based hospital have restored the eyesight of a 101-year-old man following a highly complex cataract procedure that many specialists had declined to undertake due to his age and underlying retinal disease.

Raza Khan, a centenarian from Islamabad, underwent surgery at the Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital in Rawalpindi after suffering from dense cataracts complicated by age-related macular degeneration, a condition that significantly reduces the likelihood of visual recovery in very elderly patients. Several ophthalmologists in Islamabad and Rawalpindi had previously ruled out surgical intervention, citing excessive medical risks.

The delicate operation was performed by a specialized surgical team led by Dr Sabeehuddin, head of the hospital’s cataract department. Advanced surgical instruments and protective viscoelastic gels were employed to minimize trauma to the eye’s fragile tissues — a critical consideration in geriatric patients.

“The procedure involved far more than the removal of a clouded lens,” Dr Sabeehuddin said. “We also had to address complex retinal issues that typically limit visual improvement in patients of such advanced age.”

Post-operative assessments showed a marked recovery. The patient is now able to recognise family members and move independently, representing a significant improvement in his quality of life. Hospital officials described the case as one of the oldest successful cataract interventions recorded in the region.

The achievement also carries personal significance for the institution. Raza Khan was a close associate of the late Lieutenant General Jehangir Dad Khan, the founding figure of Al-Shifa Trust.

The successful surgery comes amid mounting challenges in eye care nationwide. Official estimates suggest that nearly 2.7 million people in Pakistan are blind, with cataracts accounting for around 51 per cent of cases. In many rural districts, limited access to surgical facilities continues to leave large numbers of elderly patients without timely treatment.

Hospital officials said the outcome highlights advances in geriatric eye surgery and underscores the growing role of philanthropic healthcare providers in addressing gaps left by an overstretched public health system.