Moorfields Eye Hospital consultant ophthalmologists saved the sight of 24 Bangladeshi students over two days of complex surgeries.  

Drs Mahi Muqit and Niaz Islam were invited to Dhaka by Bangladesh’s interim government to help 120 patients with bullet wounds to their eyes following their involvement in protests during the country’s July and August 2024 anti-discrimination movement.  

Around 1,000 people suffered a range of ocular trauma during demonstrations. Of these, approximately 700 received emergency treatment from National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) doctors, with many vitreoretinal surgeries being performed for bullets or fragments lodged in their eyes. During surgery, the team discovered that one student still had bullets inside his eye from last July, needing a complex operation to successfully remove them and fix the retinal detachment. 

Minhaj still had a bullet lodged in his eye

One of the patients is smiling now because the surgery meant he could already see better, said Dr Muqit. “Rohan was with friends when he was shot in both eyes by the police. He was blinded in both eyes, with one being beyond hope. Our operation on the other eye fixed his retinal detachment and removed scar tissue. We have every expectation that his vision will continue to improve as he recovers from the surgery.” 

Beyond offering specialist diagnosis and treatment to these patients, the Moorfields duo also worked alongside local doctors to provide medical and surgical teaching and training to strengthen the ability of NIOH to provide high-quality assessment and treatment services for these patients going forward.