Atang Can See Clearly Now and It's Thanks to a Surgeon

Photo Credit: Netcare Limited via Facebook

The cost of cataract surgery, a routine procedure that could restore Atang Makhubedu’s sight, seemed impossibly out of reach, plunging her into a period she described as “tough and depressing”. But that was all before an ophthalmic surgeon dedicated less than an hour of his time and expertise to give Atang her vision, smile and life back!

Johannesburg, South Africa (18 June 2025) – For a significant part of last year, the world was a stressful blur for 25-year-old Atang Makhubedu, who had been suffering from deteriorating vision, making daily tasks and studying a challenge.

As a person with type 1 diabetes, Atang wasted no time in seeking medical care when she noticed that something wasn’t quite right with her eyes and went straight to her local clinic for assessment. However, when she was informed of the cost of cataract surgery, restored vision seemed out of reach.

While cataract surgery is generally considered a straightforward, routine solution, it is sadly not readily available for many, as was the case for Atang.

The PR student described that time of her life as both tough and depressing.

“My vision became so bad that I had lost my smile – I did not like the person I was becoming. The out-of-pocket costs for private surgery were beyond reach, and I was demoralised knowing that the longer I had to wait for the procedure, the more I would have to rely on others,” she says.

However, a beacon of hope appeared when ophthalmic surgeon Dr Sachin Bawa, practising at Netcare Linkwood Hospital, stepped in. After consultation with Atang, Bawa scheduled her much-needed surgery for the very next day, free of charge!

“I felt an urgency to help her as soon as we could. The surgery is a painless 20-minute procedure in which the cataract is removed through a micro incision of 2.5 mm, and a new artificial lens called an intraocular lens is implanted.

“Atang had both eyes done at the same time, and her procedure took no more than 40 minutes. Generally, recovery is patient dependent and can take up to a week to improve, but Atang had perfect vision the very next day and returned home with eye drops to use during the recovery period. From there, eyeglasses are generally prescribed after four weeks to further improve vision,” Bawa explains.

When those with the power and expertise to help step forward, hope is restored and lives are transformed, which is something Atang can attest to.

In her own words, Atang says that she no longer has to ask for help with reading the labels on products at the grocery shop, and she doesn’t have to zoom in on every word just to be able to read a simple text message.

“As a diabetic, physical activity is crucial for my health. I can go for walks without worrying about falling, and I can manage my insulin injections by myself again. At last, I can complete my degree in public relations and move forward with my life,” said a grateful Atang, who hopes to pay it forward and give back to those in need one day too.