- Mother describes the moment she saw her children clearly again as “a blessing beyond words”.
- Case underscores Abu Dhabi’s rise as a destination for world‑class ophthalmic care.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: After five years of worsening vision, Indonesian mother‑of‑two, Ellyzabeth Bella Lukitasari, 34 has regained her sight through a combination of advanced cataract and squint correction surgeries at Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 network.
Ellyzabeth, who moved to the UAE with her family 3 years ago, was initially diagnosed with glaucoma back in Indonesia and managed the condition with medication and daily eye‑drops. “Every month, the world looked a little foggier,” she recalls. “I worried that one day, I wouldn’t even recognise my children’s faces.”
“She couldn’t see more than three metres ahead,” recalls Ellyzabeth’s husband, Mochamad Soleh Wicaksono. “While our doctor in Indonesia found glaucoma, they couldn’t take any action because the nerve was too thin.”
A comprehensive assessment at Moorfields Eye Hospital in Abu Dhabi by Dr Usman Mahmood, Consultant Ophthalmologist, changed everything. It revealed not only that the glaucoma was advanced, but also dense cataracts in both eyes, as well as a strabismus – a misalignment of the eyes, often referred to as ‘squint’ – that further affected her sight.
“The cataracts stemmed from chronic uveitis, affecting the back of the eye,” explains Dr Mahmood. “We needed to remove them under steroid control before we could correct her alignment. It demanded close collaboration across our sub‑specialities.”
“When the bandages came off, the first thing I saw clearly was my daughter’s smile. It felt like a second life,” said Ellyzabeth. “The Moorfields team treated me with such care and gave me back my confidence and for that I am extremely grateful.”
A tailored surgical plan
Ellyzabeth agreed to staged approach. Dr. Mahmood first performed cataract surgery on both eyes, left followed by right, restoring a clear optical pathway.
“Comprehensive testing is vital in complex cases like Ellyzabeth’s,” explained Dr. Mahmood. “Addressing the cataracts first allowed us to accurately measure her squint and plan the second procedure, ultimately giving her the best possible outcome. I’m pleased to see that her vision improved significantly, along with her quality of life, and she seems very happy.”
Ellyzabeth was then referred to Dr Irfan Khan, Consultant Ophthalmologist, who performed strabismus‑correction surgery to realign her eyes and optimise binocular vision.
“There is a common misconception that squint surgery cannot be performed in eyes which have poor vision – that’s a myth,” said Dr Khan. “If the surgery is performed properly and is successful, patients can maintain good ocular alignment for the rest of their lives. I’m so pleased with the outcome we were able to deliver for Ellyzabeth.”
Had the surgeries not been performed, specialists estimate Ellyzabeth’s vision would have continued to decline, eventually leaving her unable to manage basic daily tasks such as caring for her children, reading or navigating safely.
“Thank you to Moorfields Eye Hospital – the doctors, the nurses and all the staff that were able to achieve this miracle for my wife’s sight, added Ellyzabeth’s husband Mochamad Soleh. Thank you for your kindness, professionalism and for treating us like family. She used to know people by the sound of their voice, now she can see everyone and that has changed our lives.”
Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi leverages more than two centuries of expertise from its London counterpart, offering advanced diagnostic, medical and surgical eye care to patients across the Middle East and beyond. Success stories like Ellyzabeth’s reinforce Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a destination for world‑class healthcare.
