Mahmoud Amer Swaiti, a 7-year-old first grader from Beit Awwa near Hebron, had been facing challenges with learning. During a school screening, conducted as part of our outreach Child Vision Screening Programme, his nurse sent home a note recommending that he see an eye specialist.

Concerned, his mother took him to St. John Eye Hospital in Hebron, where he was diagnosed with bilateral posterior polar cataracts, a condition affecting his vision since early childhood.

He later underwent two cataract removal surgeries with IOL implants at the main hospital in Jerusalem.

Reflecting on the experience, his mother shared, “I didn’t understand before why he had some learning difficulties.” Now, with glasses, Mahmoud’s vision is much clearer, and his schoolwork has greatly improved.