During the protests in July and August 2024, approximately 1000 people suffered from eye related injuries. Around 700 of them received emergency surgery from doctors at the Bangladeshi National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) to remove bullets or pieces of metal from their eyes.
The Moorfields doctors were invited by the NIOH and the interim government to help the patients who needed follow up treatment. They performed successful surgery to save the sight of 24 of these people in just two days and worked with local doctors to teach them new skills to help more people in the future.
Also in the two-day period, the doctors checked 120 patients aged 14 to 30 who had bullet injuries to their eyes.
One patient, Minhaj, 20, still had bullets in his eye from last July. The doctors performed complicated surgery to removed them and repair a detached retina.
Dr Mahi Muqit said:
Two of the people we helped left a lasting mark on me. Rohan was shot in both eyes by police. One eye was beyond saving, but we were able to reattach the retina in the other, and now he’s regained his sight. Romel lost his vision during the protests. After surgery, his retina was repaired, and today, he’s slowly beginning to regain his sight. Being part of their recovery was a powerful reminder of why we do this work, restoring not just sight, but hope.
Those who didn’t need surgery got a plan to help them recover with the help of local doctors. Mahi and Niaz both met with the Health Adviser of the interim government to talk about the surgeries and treatments they provided.
Both surgeons are involved in research at the NIHR Moorfields Clinical Research Facility and the NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre. Their work helps find new ways to treat eye problems and improve patient care.
Mahi Muqit has worked with NIOH retina doctors for the past 10 years and performed surgeries for 24 patients during the trip. These patients should see improvements in their vision about four weeks after surgery.
Niaz Islam, a senior medical retina expert at Moorfields, provided expert opinions and advice to patients on their macular and retinal disorders caused by bullet-induced eye trauma.
This work highlights the world-class expertise at Moorfields and demonstrates the vital role of research and funding in advancing the success of new and improved treatments.