Give the gift of sight: Han's Story

Five-year-old Han lives with her family in the small village of Thanh Tan in southern Vietnam. Since birth, Han suffered from ptosis, a condition that caused her left eyelid to droop and obstruct her vision. Han struggled to see and was reluctant to play with other children. As she got older, she became even more shy and withdrawn.

After two unsuccessful attempts by local doctors to fix Han’s drooping eyelid, her mother, Loan, didn’t know what to do next. That’s when the family got a call from Can Tho Eye Hospital letting them know the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital was coming to nearby Can Tho City.

Hopeful that Han might finally get the life-changing surgery she needed, mother and daughter travelled two hours by motorbike to Can Tho City. On board the plane, Orbis Volunteer Faculty member, Dr. H. Joon Kim, examined Han and selected her as a special teaching case to help train local surgeons.

Loan was anxious about the surgery, but she knew this might be Han’s only chance. With the assistance of local ophthalmologists, Dr. Tu Ngo The Thanh and Dr. Nhan Truong Nguyen Trong, Dr. Kim successfully performed the surgery while teaching the two doctors every step of the way.

Loan couldn't contain her tears of joy as she held Han's hand after her surgery. She told us, “I was so happy and delighted at this point. She was coming awake and recovering. I was just so thankful for the doctors who helped my daughter. It was a wonderful moment.”

With her vision finally restored, Han is eager to return to school, where she enjoys writing and has a keen interest in math. Although only in kindergarten, Han already has big dreams for the future. Her mother shared, “My girl is dreaming of becoming a doctor. She really wants to help people.”

But for right now, Loan just wants what every parent wants – for her daughter to be happy and healthy. And after years of being shy and withdrawn, Loan believes Han will be more confident and self-assured than ever.