Pune: 45-Day-Old Baby Girl Saved From Permanent Blindness After Life-Saving Eye Surgery
Pune: 45-Day-Old Baby Girl Saved From Permanent Blindness After Life-Saving Eye Surgery ( representative Image )
Pune, June 26, 2025 — In a remarkable show of teamwork and urgency, doctors from District Women’s Hospital, Amravati, and P.B.M.A’s H.V. Desai Eye Hospital, Pune successfully saved the vision of a 45-day-old baby girl diagnosed with a critical eye condition — Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).
The infant, weighing just 990 grams at birth, had been under care at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) in Amravati when she was diagnosed with ROP on June 12. This potentially blinding condition affects premature babies and demands immediate intervention — especially in aggressive cases, where surgery must be performed within 48 hours.
Faced with a medical emergency and financial challenges, the hospital staff moved swiftly. Dr. Preeti Ingle, head of SNCU at Amravati, reached out to Dr. Sucheta Kulkarni, Medical Director at H.V. Desai Eye Hospital, Pune, who readily agreed to perform the surgery free of cost.
However, the infant’s tribal family lacked both resources and documents for government aid. The parents could not even afford a train ticket to Pune. With time running out, multiple individuals across the district administration stepped in. Dr. Tilottama Wankhede and Dr. Aishwarya Wankhede helped arrange Rs 5,000 in emergency funds. After missing the first train due to hesitation and distress, the father and baby were finally guided onto a train to Pune on June 13.
Upon reaching Pune the next morning, a hospital volunteer ensured their smooth transport and admission. The surgery was successfully performed the same day, and by evening, arrangements were made for their return to Amravati. The baby is now recovering well under medical supervision.
Dr. Sucheta Kulkarni emphasized that the baby had a more aggressive form of ROP, and any delay would have led to irreversible blindness. “Thanks to the timely efforts of both hospitals and local administration, her vision was saved,” she said.
H.V. Desai Eye Hospital is currently running ROP screening programs in Pune, Alibaug, and Satara. Dr. Kulkarni highlighted that families in remote areas often face delays due to lack of access, awareness, and funds, and this case is a strong example of how coordinated efforts can overcome those barriers and save lives.
