Health
Nakato delivered Peter at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital in 2020, where doctors immediately diagnosed him with anophthalmia—a rare condition in which a child is born without eyes
Sarah Nakato, a 20-year-old mother, is facing an uphill battle caring for her 4-year-old son, Peter Byakatonda, who was born with anophthalmia—a rare condition in which a child is born without eyes.
Nakato, a resident of Katabalanga Village in South Division, Mubende Municipality, shared her heartfelt story with the Nile Post, explaining the difficulties she faces raising her son in a modest single-room rental.
Nakato delivered Peter at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital in 2020, where doctors immediately diagnosed him with the condition.
“When I went to the hospital with my mother-in-law, the doctors told me my baby didn’t have eyes. They gave me follow-up dates for thorough management, and upon returning, they confirmed he had no eyes,” Nakato said, her voice filled with sorrow.
Since the diagnosis, life has been a constant struggle.
“My husband is also struggling to make ends meet. I am not working and spend all my time taking care of Peter, who needs constant attention,” she explained.
At four years old, Peter is unable to walk and instead crawls.
“Sometimes, he destroys neighbors’ property, like breaking plates, which leads to losses for them,” Nakato added.
Nakato dismissed rumors suggesting that contraceptive use caused her son’s condition.
“I am only 20 years old and have never used family planning methods, as some people wrongly believe. Neither my family nor my husband’s family has a history of this condition,” she clarified.
With tears in her eyes, Nakato made an emotional appeal for help.
“I am not working, and I have two children to care for. I kindly ask anyone willing to assist to help us get through this situation,” she said.
Moreen Nagawa, Peter’s grandmother, highlighted the urgency of the situation.
“My grandson needs a lot of care, and he often asks for food, yet his mother doesn’t earn a living. We appeal to anyone who reads this article to help. Starting a small shop for the mother could make a big difference because she loves her son deeply,” Nagawa explained.
Ruth Nabweteme, the South Division Councillor for Katabalanga, noted that this is the second case of a child with a severe disability in the area.
“The first case was of a child born without hands, and now we have Peter, born without eyes,” she said. Nabweteme called for a medical examination of Peter, stating, “If you look at him, you would never guess he’s already four years old.”
The councillor also emphasized the need for counseling for Nakato, who is enduring a challenging life. “The mother is going through a very tough time and needs support. We urge good Samaritans to offer assistance to this family,” Nabweteme urged.
Medical Perspective
John Busobozi, a medical officer at Anber Hospital in Mubende, explained that anophthalmia is caused by a failure of the neural tube to form the eyes during fetal development.
“This condition typically arises from disorders in the neural tube, and in most cases, it results in anophthalmia,” he explained.
He noted that such conditions are more common among mothers giving birth at an older age or those with genetic predispositions.
“Genetic factors, a family history of similar conditions, or certain medications taken during pregnancy can contribute to anophthalmia,” he said.
Regarding the possibility of an eye transplant, Busobozi clarified that it is not feasible in these cases.
“Eye transplants are only possible for individuals with defective eyes, but not for those born with anophthalmia, as the formation of the eye involves multiple structures that cannot be replaced,” he explained.
