Youngest pellet victim, Hiba likely to regain eyesight

Srinagar, Dec 14: Nineteen-month-old Hiba Nisar is likely to regain her eyesight after second surgery.

Twenty days after Hiba was hit by pellets in her right eye on November 25, she went through a second surgery at the SMHS Hospital here.

Hiba was operated upon for two and a half hours by a team of senior ophthalmologists at the hospital.

One of the senior doctors said, “We have successfully removed pellets from her right eye which gave us hope that her eyesight will regain very soon.”

Another ophthalmologist said Hiba had suffered haemorrhage in her eye.

“Now, her chance of recovery is very good,” he added.

“In a month or two, with medication and regular check-ups, she will be fine.”

Speaking to The Kashmir Monitor, Nisar Ahmad, Hiba’s father, said, “She is feeling better since yesterday (Thursday) as the pellet was removed by the team of doctors.”

“Doctor has advised us to take good care of Hiba and prevent dust from entering her eye.”

“Since yesterday, Hiba is not able to open her right eye properly. Her eye is reddish and swollen which lingers for some time after surgery.”

After undergoing two surgeries, Hiba’s behaviour has changed, he said.

She has become very aggressive as she loses her temper on small things, said Nisar.

“We have to visit hospital again on Monday for her regular check-up,” added Nisar.

Hiba was hit by multiple pellets, when she was in her mother’s arms in her home at Batgund.

Father Nisar is a labourer, and packs apples in an orchard not owned by him.

The family has received Rs 1 lakh as the treatment expenses from the state government.

She is the youngest pellet victim in the current phase of the violence in Kashmir.

Since 2016, SMHS hospital has received at least 1750 pellet victims who were completely or partially blinded.