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21 December 2016 (Dubai – United Arab Emirates): A team from Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai has successfully treated an elderly patient from Saudi Arabia, restoring the patient’s sight in one eye after he spent 18 months with no sight in either eye. 83 year-old Mr. Hassan Al Shaikh Ahmad is now mobile and independent again, after a series of procedures performed in Dubai by Dr. Muhammad Irfan Khan, Consultant Ophthalmologist with a special interest in strabismus and cataract.

The patient had a very severe corneal scar in the right eye and his left eye had a convergent squint (so severe that the cornea was invisible) and cataract. The right eye was inoperable and so the team focused on treating the left eye with a two-stage surgical procedure, first to correct the squint and then to perform the cataract surgery which was necessary after the cataract had been discovered during the squint surgery.

The first phase strabismus surgery by Dr. Irfan was successful and once the left eye had been straightened enough to allow further detailed examination of the eye, a significant cataract was discovered. This led to the second stage of the treatment, following a month of recovery after the squint surgery, in which Dr. Irfan performed the cataract surgery.

Dr. Muhammad Irfan Khan, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, commented: “This was a particularly challenging elderly patient presenting with serious problems in both eyes, and revealing additional problems once we had been able to perform a full examination of the eyes. Unfortunately, we were unable to treat his right eye but the results of the treatment on the left eye have been successful and the team is delighted with Mr. Hassan’s progress and recovery, allowing him to lead a normal life after living without vision for 18 months. He is now walking independently and performing his daily activities and routine, which is so important for every patient and especially those older patients.”

Mr. Hassan Al Shaikh Ahmad, the 83 year-old patient from Saudi Arabia added: “I cannot express my gratitude enough to Dr. Irfan and the team at Moorfields; I am so happy to be able to walk again and to do things independently without the help of others.”

Strabismus (squint or crossed eyes) is a misalignment of the eyes, inward or outward, and can only be treated with vision therapy or surgery. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 40 and are the principal cause of blindness in the world. Most cataracts are related to aging and they are very common in older people.

Dr. Irfan Khan is one of the few ophthalmologists in the world with dual training from United Kingdom and Canada. He is subspecialty trained in the management of all aspects of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Ocular Motility including; Paediatric Cataracts, Paediatric Glaucoma, Retinopathy of Prematurity, Retinoblastoma, Paediatric Anterior Segment Reconstruction, common Paediatric Oculoplastics, Strabismus or Squint, Adult Strabismus (with Adjustable sutures) and Adult Cataract Surgery. He is a valuable member of the Moorfields team and holds clinics in both Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai and Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital.