CASE STORIES: Mast Hamza - A Mother’s Fight for Her Child’s Sight

by Barkha Kardam – Cornea Department & Project Coordinator, Assistant to Dr Manisha Acharya

Treating Doctor – Dr Shailja Tibrewal & Dr RIA Ratna

Little Mast Hamza, just 8 months old, has already faced more challenges than many do in a lifetime. Born to a non-consanguineous couple, Hamza’s mother noticed unusual white spots in his eyes just five days after his birth.

Detailed examinations, including a B-scan, revealed that Hamza had a severe retinal detachment, described as close funnel detachment. Doctors suspected conditions like Norrie’s Disease Spectrum or Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) – both rare genetic eye disorders that can lead to blindness. Though Hamza's parents themselves showed normal eye screenings, a deeper family history revealed alarming patterns – his maternal uncles are blind, and his mother's sister's son also suffers from serious vision problems.

Despite there being no blood relation between Hamza's parents, the presence of genetic disorders within the extended family has raised urgent concerns. Specialists have advised genetic counselling to understand the risk factors and to help guide future family planning.

This case highlights an essential but often overlooked truth: genetic conditions are not limited to consanguineous (within-family) marriages. Even in non-consanguineous marriages, where there is a history of genetic illnesses, the risk of passing on certain conditions remains high.

Hamza’s story is a poignant reminder for families to seek genetic counselling, especially if there is a family history of blindness or other inherited disorders. Early intervention, awareness, and responsible planning can help prevent such heart-breaking outcomes.

Today, Mast Hamza’s family is courageously sharing their story to encourage others to learn more about genetic health – because every child deserves the gift of sight.