Hong Kong
Blog
Eye health
The gift of sight transformed H’nhi’s life
In central Vietnam, the dedicated team from Phu Yen Eye Hospital and The Fred Hollows Foundation have recently reunited with H'Nhi and her family. Over a decade ago, The Foundation supported H'Nhi in accessing life-changing cataract surgery. The precious gift of sight has meant the world to her and her family.
MEET H'NHI
H'Nhi was born with cataract in both her eyes. When she was just two years old, her mother, H'Dieu, noticed something unusual—her daughter struggled to locate objects around their home, and a troubling white spot had formed in her eye.
"It was very challenging," H'Dieu recalls. "I have six children, and while my other children recognised me, H'Nhi could not see me. When she was hungry, she simply cried."
Determined to help her daughter, she sought assistance at the Commune Health Station, which then referred H'Nhi to Phu Yen Eye Hospital. However, the hospital lacked the equipment to operate on such a young child at that time.
"It was very challenging," H'Dieu recalls. "I have six children, and while my other children recognised me, H'Nhi could not see me. When she was hungry, she simply cried."
Determined to help her daughter, she sought assistance at the Commune Health Station, which then referred H'Nhi to Phu Yen Eye Hospital. However, the hospital lacked the equipment to operate on such a young child at that time.
BUILDING LOCAL SKILLS
Fred Hollows believed local people were best placed to deliver health care to their communities.
His dream was to see eye doctors across the globe equipped with the skills and tools to eradicate avoidable blindness and improve lives.
For years, H'Nhi endured a life with blurry vision and excruciating pain when exposed to light. But the Commune Health Station continued to monitor her condition. When H'Nhi turned five, surgery became possible, thanks to Dr. Phuong, a Foundation-trained ophthalmologist and the only one in central Vietnam with the expertise to operate on children.
For Dr. Phuong, the surgery marked a memorable moment in her career. She recalls being surprised by H'Nhi's remarkable bravery in the face of surgery, unlike most children.
"H'Nhi was different – she was brave. I can now see she has grown up a lot and become a beautiful girl," Dr. Phuong said, her eyes filled with pride.
His dream was to see eye doctors across the globe equipped with the skills and tools to eradicate avoidable blindness and improve lives.
For years, H'Nhi endured a life with blurry vision and excruciating pain when exposed to light. But the Commune Health Station continued to monitor her condition. When H'Nhi turned five, surgery became possible, thanks to Dr. Phuong, a Foundation-trained ophthalmologist and the only one in central Vietnam with the expertise to operate on children.
For Dr. Phuong, the surgery marked a memorable moment in her career. She recalls being surprised by H'Nhi's remarkable bravery in the face of surgery, unlike most children.
"H'Nhi was different – she was brave. I can now see she has grown up a lot and become a beautiful girl," Dr. Phuong said, her eyes filled with pride.
H'NHI HAS NEW OPPORTUNITIES
H'Nhi, a member of the Ede ethnic minority, now supports her mother by tending to cows, cultivating cassava and rice, and participating in the local market.
She reflects on her journey, "When I was very young, I didn't really remember. Now I am grown up, I can see how precious it is to have the gift of sight given to me."
Thanks to her regained vision, H'Nhi could attend school, lead an everyday life, and blend in with the other children in her village. In keeping with Ede customs, she has plans to marry and continue supporting her family.
"With good vision, I will have a family, work with my husband, and live together. If I do well, I can send money back to support my mother and younger sister. Without that operation, I wouldn't be able to do these kinds of things. For that, I'm very grateful."
She reflects on her journey, "When I was very young, I didn't really remember. Now I am grown up, I can see how precious it is to have the gift of sight given to me."
Thanks to her regained vision, H'Nhi could attend school, lead an everyday life, and blend in with the other children in her village. In keeping with Ede customs, she has plans to marry and continue supporting her family.
"With good vision, I will have a family, work with my husband, and live together. If I do well, I can send money back to support my mother and younger sister. Without that operation, I wouldn't be able to do these kinds of things. For that, I'm very grateful."
The Foundation invests in training to create lasting, sustainable change in eye health care. Training local eye health workers like Dr. Phuong allows communities to help themselves.
INVESTING IN EYE HEALTH
The Fred Hollows Foundation began its work in Phu Yen in 1999 and has since invested extensively in developing eye health services.
The Foundation is proud to be bringing high-quality eye care to the people of Phu Yen, one of the country's poorest provinces. Increased investment means that those impacted by avoidable blindness won't have to wait long periods or travel further for care.
Eye health is critical in allowing people to work, attend school, and lift families out of poverty—particularly in agricultural societies where life revolves around hands-on labour.
Fred Hollows recognised that restoring sight and preventing blindness isn't just about the individual. The benefits have a ripple effect, spreading from the person to their family, community, and the economy.
That's why, with the help of our supporters, The Foundation will continue to invest in strengthening health care systems in under-resourced communities so that more people like H'Nhi are given opportunities.
These efforts have the potential to create positive ripple effects by improving the quality of life, promoting economic growth, and empowering individuals and groups in need.
The Foundation is proud to be bringing high-quality eye care to the people of Phu Yen, one of the country's poorest provinces. Increased investment means that those impacted by avoidable blindness won't have to wait long periods or travel further for care.
Eye health is critical in allowing people to work, attend school, and lift families out of poverty—particularly in agricultural societies where life revolves around hands-on labour.
Fred Hollows recognised that restoring sight and preventing blindness isn't just about the individual. The benefits have a ripple effect, spreading from the person to their family, community, and the economy.
That's why, with the help of our supporters, The Foundation will continue to invest in strengthening health care systems in under-resourced communities so that more people like H'Nhi are given opportunities.
These efforts have the potential to create positive ripple effects by improving the quality of life, promoting economic growth, and empowering individuals and groups in need.
HELP US RESTORE SIGHT AND GIVE MORE PEOPLE INDEPENDENCE
Donate today to help provide sight-saving surgery to more people in need.
Related articles
View these articles
Koori Knockout raises eye health awareness among thousands on World Sight Day
World Sight Day shines a spotlight on the importance of eye care, especially for young people. This year, the Koori Knockout in Bathurst, NSW — one of the largest annual gatherings of Indigenous peoples in the southern hemisphere — served as an ideal platform for raising awareness about eye health.
Eyes on the Future: Australian and New Zealand Governments Invest in Centre for Eye Health in Papua New Guinea
The Governments of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand have partnered with one of the region’s most iconic and trusted NGOs, The Fred Hollows Foundation, by investing in a new Centre for Eye Health in Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby.
Eye disease trachoma eliminated in Vietnam
The Fred Hollows Foundation has welcomed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) validation that Vietnam has eliminated the eye disease trachoma as a public health problem.