Blindsided by a diagnosis she’d never heard of—Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH)—Ana felt overwhelmed and uncertain about what lay ahead. Though she was familiar with other eye ailments, this particular condition was entirely new to her.
“It was severely painful, and the blurriness of my eyes brings great discomfort in everyday tasks,” 43-year-old Ana Rosales shares.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, VKH is a central nervous system condition that specifically affects vision and hearing. Ophthalmic complications from this condition are numerous, but early identification and treatment can reduce morbidity.
This condition forced Ana to make countless visits to the eye specialist in search of relief. Each visit seemed to offer temporary solutions, but the discomfort persisted.
In 2023, Ana faced a terrifying ordeal when she experienced intense eye pain. Rushed to the hospital, doctors found her eye lens dislodged, requiring urgent surgery to prevent further harm.
Emerging from that operation, Ana found herself at a crossroads. “When I told our company about my health, the company doctor suggested I take time off until I get better,” she said.
This hit Ana hard. In fact, from March 2023, until this writing, she is unemployed.
Now, with her husband’s income as the sole support for their family of five, she faced not only health challenges but also financial worries ahead. “Three of my children go to school, so it’s really hard for me, especially for my husband, to provide for our daily needs.”
Amidst her challenges, Ana found relief when Operation Blessing, through its Medical Assist Project, came to her aid. She was not only provided with essential eye tests, eyeglasses, medication, and supplements but also surrounded by prayers and spiritual guidance from a local church partner in Las Piñas City.
“I feel blessed to be one of the many beneficiaries of Operation Blessing, and to be looked after even after they visited me here. It’s very comforting for me, and I praise the Lord for them. Thank you to all donors and supporters of Operation Blessing.”
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OB’s Medical Assistance Project assists individuals with urgent health needs through one-time support. With your help, we can aid more people struggling to access medical care, like Ana. Your donation can cover essential treatments, medications, or laboratory tests, offering hope and healing to those in need. To contribute, please visit www.operationblessing.ph or call 09399215543 or 09189067753 for more information.
DSWD-SB-SP-00017-2023-Nationwide. Valid until March 31, 2024.
