It was an ordinary cataract operation but I was filled with a sense of foreboding. I reassured myself that it was a minor operation and I had immense faith in the doctor.

The operation went smoothly, but the next day when my eye-cover was removed, I could hardly see. The doctor put me on saline and cortisone eye drops. My rendezvous with eye drops had begun. Little did I know how long it would last. Little did I know that this was just the beginning.

I was treated for a couple of months, but my eyesight worsened. It was then that I started to get worried and consulted another doctor and then yet another. I exhausted the entire gamut of eye doctors in Karachi, because I resisted their verdict that I was officially blind in one eye and would need a cornea transplant. I rebelled vehemently and put up a brave front. I knew that I would be able to regain my sight; how and when were the two questions which were unresolved.

Husband, daughters, family, in-laws and friends rallied around me and gave me strength. Where I had walked independently, I was ushered, where there were steps I was guided, where I fumbled I found help. Life was grim and devoid of the independence that I had once prided on. I needed to be helped and guided. It scarred my self-confidence and although I smiled my way throughout the day, the hurt never left me.

Weeks lapsed into months and I completed the first year of having lost my eyesight. I was reluctant to move about handicapped, and in doubts about undergoing a cornea transplant. It was then that I decided to go to Syria for pilgrimage and then for Umrah. As I sat in the plane, homeward bound, my decision was made. I decided to go in for the cornea transplant.I explored many avenues once my mind was made up. Well-meaning people insisted that I should get the surgery done either in the US or India since they have better medical facilities. But I opted for Pakistan.

I found that the endothelium cells of the cornea had been damaged and they are one of the few cells in the human body which do not repair themselves. This had made my cornea opaque, hence the loss of vision. The only option was a cornea transplant. We approached the Eye Bank in Sri Lanka and I was told that in about six weeks time I would be able to receive the cornea, donated from Sri Lanka but I would have to be ready for the surgery at about forty-eight-hour notice. The wait began. The search was over.

About eight weeks later I was told to come in for the surgery. The next morning was memorable for me since after one year, three months and five days, I had finally regained my eyesight. I blessed the unknown donor of my cornea and his family.

My vision was still hazy, but I was told it would improve as the cornea settled down. The doctor explained that I had sixteen stitches in my eyes and they would be removed from time to time, as he saw fit. The precautions I was given were so overwhelming that I was subdued don't bend, don't wash your face or do ablution, avoid dust, crowds and, worst of all, keep away from grandchildren as any sudden jerk could damage the cornea. I moved in a limbo, taking medicines, observing precautions, using eye drops and desperately missing interaction with my grandchildren. After six weeks, the rules were relaxed slightly.

As the first two stitches were removed, my eyesight improved and I was allowed to mingle with people. Eventually all the stitches in my eyes were removed and I could finally see. But even today my vision gets affected by extreme dryness of weathers, using computer for a long period or reading for hours as I am inclined to do. But the bottom line is that my vision has been restored. And I found that contrary to general apprehensions, we have excellent doctors and decent medical facilities.

But there are no corneas available as the concept of cornea donation is alien to us. I hope some enterprising person will be inspired by this article to form a platform which would inspire people to donate corneas. The cornea is a bloodless membrane and its removal from the dead body will not inflict pain. But it can make a world of difference to someone else.