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Recipient Tells TBI Staff About His New Sighted Life

Four months after TBI's Operation Eye Rescue gave him back his sight, corneal recipient Din Ndasi revisited TBI headquarters to show off his progress. Shy and reclusive in his native Cameroon because of his inability to see, study and work, Din seemed to have acquired a happy, outgoing personality along with the corneal transplant he received at the Friendship Ambulatory Center in Chevy Chase, MD. Surgeon Thomas Clinch, M.D. donated his services and the surgical center waived its fees.

During his June 25 visit, Din regaled TBI's Baltimore headquarters staff with stories about his progress...and the promise of his new life. Grateful to TBI and the medical community for his ability to see, Din now plans for a nursing career so he can help heal others. He will be residing in the US at least for as long as it takes to complete his nursing curriculum. "It is incredible to see this well. And I am very, very grateful," he said, and his smile spoke louder than words.

Operation Eye Rescue is a TBI outreach program that brings sight to the corneally blind in the most underserved areas of the world. Since January 2001, 42 recipients have benefited from Operation Eye Rescue, which provides corneas with no reimbursement fees. More than $100,000 in surgical and surgical center fees have also been waived in conjunction with the program. The goal is to restore sight to another 100 people in the coming year.

Din Ndasi was brought to the US from The Republic of Cameroon in West Africa for his corneal transplant. In his renewed eyes, there is no greater gift than the one he received from our US-based nonprofit organization.