Sight-restoring surgery allowed Paketi to return to his beloved taro garden and regain independence. Now he’s an eye care advocate.
Paketi, a father of eight from Apia, Samoa, first noticed changes in his vision over 10 years ago when a small white spot appeared in his eye.
That spot would grow quickly, obscuring his vision — and that’s not all. Pterygium, an irritating, fleshy growth on the white of the eye, also developed in his left eye.
Gradually, his sight worsened, making everyday tasks increasingly difficult. As a construction worker and keen taro farmer, Paketi found himself unable to continue his work or tend his beloved garden. Simple tasks like driving and reading became difficult without help, forcing him to rely heavily on his family.
It took all of his eight children to care for him. They answered his many calls for help with tasks he could not complete himself.
One Sunday at church, Paketi caught his son misbehaving. As any father would, he took the boy aside and reprimanded him.
It was only half way through the telling-off that he realised… it wasn’t his son at all. Due to bilateral cataracts, Paketi had mistaken the pastor’s son for his own.
A team from the Pacific Eye Institute in Fiji, supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, would be travelling to Samoa to provide specialist eye care services.
Paketi was a bit worried at first, but seeing so many other patients waiting to receive the same surgery, he felt encouraged.
Later, he returned for two more surgeries by Dr Lucilla: the pterygium and the second cataract.
Later, he returned for two more Not only can he help with chores around the house and drive into town to do errands, but he can return to his beloved taro garden, providing his family with food. Paketi can also enjoy reading his bible and watching TV.
Now he’s an eye care advocate. He advises everyone — his family, his church community, his friends — to look after their eyes, and not to hesitate to see a doctor if their vision deteriorates. He was also thankful to The Foundation for their support of Samoa’s eye care system.
“I’m very thankful that you are bringing the equipment and expertise to Samoa,” he said.
Your kindness enables us to reach more people in the Pacific, ensuring that everyone has a chance to access life-changing eye care.
