Mother losing her eyesight needs surgery

Cornelia Murphy's eyesight has been gradually getting worse.

Murphy, 40, suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disorder that causes loss of vision. She is now seeking the public's assistance in accumulating the US$20,000 (nearly J$3 million) needed for an operation to correct the condition.

A GoFundMe organised for Murphy has so far raised US$2,760 but she said she has been getting additional assistance and has achieved more than half the required target as neighbours and relatives have pitched in and she is about half-way to her goal.

"I want to thank everyone who have answered my call. I promise that as soon as I get the required amount, I will stop the GoFundMe as there are other persons out there who are in need of the help," she said.

Murphy said her second pregnancy in 2019 was smooth but said she was diagnosed with diabetes almost 22 years ago while pregnant with her first child. Her eyesight began to worsen last June.

"I just woke up with blurry vision and I felt like there were things in the back of my eye. Then I realised that it was blood springing from the back of my eye. I got a referral to go to Chest Hospital and they immediately began laser treatment on my right eye to seal it as they said I had a detached retina. They said I needed to have my diabetes under control also," she said.

Murphy said the laser treatment was not successful and the doctor told her that she needed surgery at another medical facility.

"From last October, it just keep getting put off and during that time I wasn't even given any form of medication. They said they didn't have any space and I got a date for January 12. On that day, the surgeon came and looked in my eyes and just said there was nothing they could do to save them because I waited too long," she said.

She has since found another local facility but needs the funds.

"I know how it feels now to be visually impaired and it is a strain. It is not a good feeling especially because my vision was good before. I am now at the stage where I cannot fully take care of my baby and have to ask my mother to help me. I want to be able to literally watch as my daughter grow up and watch her features change. I want to be able to see everything," she said.

Persons wishing to assist Cornelia Murphy may contact her at 876 443 5163.