Rafiza Nur R., 1

Rafiza Nur Rafa is a resilient two-month-old baby girl and the only surviving twin, whose family remains hopeful for her healthy future despite the challenges she has faced since birth. She lives with her parents and grandparents in a five-member family, while her father, Rayhan Hossain (20), is the sole earner, working as a farmer and earning only about USD 65 per month, while the family also supports her medically ill grandfather. Born prematurely at 35 weeks with a birth weight of 1,900 grams, Rafiza required five days of NICU care, during which her twin sibling sadly passed away, and she was later diagnosed with ROP in both eyes. Having exhausted their limited resources on her neonatal care and unable to afford specialized eye treatment, her parents are seeking support to protect her vision. Without timely Anti-VEGF treatment and retinal follow-up, ROP may progress to severe retinal damage and retinal detachment, resulting in irreversible vision loss and permanent blindness.

According to the treating specialists, Rafiza urgently requires Anti-VEGF (Avastin) injections in both eyes, followed by regular retinal examinations to monitor her response to treatment and retinal development. Timely treatment is expected to control the abnormal blood vessel growth, support normal retinal development, and provide a good opportunity to preserve functional vision. If treatment is delayed due to financial hardship, ROP may progress rapidly, causing irreversible retinal damage and retinal detachment, ultimately resulting in permanent blindness. Early intervention and regular follow-up are therefore essential to protect Rafiza’s eyesight and support her future development.