CASE STORIES: Udayveer, A Journey of Strength and Renewal

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

Treating Doctor – Dr Umang Mathur

Udayveer, a 25-year-old from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, comes from a hardworking farming family of ten. His family includes his parents, a sister, two brothers and his brothers' wives and children. His father and brothers work on other peoples’ farms to make a living, while Udayveer owns just 2 bighas of land, not enough to support the family.

From a young age, Udayveer’s life was full of challenges. At 12-years-old he suffered from chickenpox, which led to a high fever and tragically caused the loss of his right eye. With no chance to go to school, Udayveer found comfort in classical music. Over time he developed a passion for playing the dholak – a two-headed hand drum, which he often performed at local jagrans – all-night rituals, and Mata Rani programs, where he earned appreciation for his skill and rhythm.

Despite his partial blindness, Udayveer took on many responsibilities at home. He looked after the family’s cows and buffaloes, ensuring they were fed and cared for. He would even gather grass from fields, showing incredible dedication and strength in his daily tasks.

However, in 2024, Udayveer faced another major setback. While working in the fields he injured his left eye on a wheat plant. The injury caused keratitis in his only functional eye, a condition in which the eye's cornea (the clear dome on the front surface of the eye) becomes inflamed, leaving him barely able to see. Feeling desperate, he visited Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, where he met Dr Umang Mathur.

Dr Mathur quickly understood the seriousness of Udayveer’s condition and recommended keratoplasty surgery to save his vision. With the hospital’s financial support, Udayveer underwent the surgery, and thankfully it was a success.

For the first time in years, Udayveer could see well enough to walk independently. His vision improved to 1/60, which might seem small, but it meant everything to him. He was overjoyed to return to his dholak performances, which he loved deeply. He couldn’t thank Dr Mathur and the hospital staff enough for restoring not just his vision but his confidence and independence.

Today, Udayveer is living proof of resilience and determination. Despite the struggles life threw at him, he has remained strong and inspiring to everyone around him. Udayveer’s story is a powerful reminder of how compassion and access to quality healthcare can truly transform lives.