Young woman in Craighall Park is given the opportunity to see again
CRAIGHALL PARK – Lerato Selahlwa has been provided contact lenses which will allow her to regain some of her sight.
A chance encounter between an optometrist and an Uber driver has allowed a young woman the opportunity to regain her eyesight.
Optometrist, Catherine Rosewall-McCarthy met Patrick Rafapa while travelling in his Uber and during this time Rosewall-McCarthy heard that his daughter Lerato Selahlwa suffers from Keratoconus.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease which will cause Lerato to go permanently blind unless she has a cornea transplant. However, Lerato will probably have to wait a very long time for a transplant as there as so few donors.
When Rosewall-McCarthy, who owns an optometry practice in Craighall Park, heard of this and she invited the young woman to be fitted with contact lenses that would improve her eyesight.
Rafapa said, “While we were having a conversation she mentioned that she had a practice and I mentioned that my daughter has a cornea problem. She said I must bring her to see how damaged her eyes are. It feels so great that someone is helping because for us it’s too expensive.”
Rosewall-McCarthy fitted Selahlwa with contact lenses which are very hard because in severe cases the harder material allows for better vision. Rosewall-McCarthy hopes that these contact lenses will allow for more mobility and independence.
“We’re going to fit the lenses and see if we can allow her to function a bit better,” said Rosewall-McCarthy.
“Her cornea is very scarred and bulging out. It’s opaque so it’s like trying to look through a dirty window and that window has just gotten dirtier and dirtier,” added Rosewall-McCarthy.
“I have seen a lot of people with Keratoconus but Lerato might be one of the most severe cases I’ve ever seen,” said Rosewall-McCarthy.
Lerato said, “I feel so great and I really appreciate that she’s willing to help me.”
Rosewall-McCarthy emphasised that a cornea transplant would be the only permanent remedy for Selahlwa. If you would like to help Lerato you can contact Catherine Rosewall-McCarthy on 011 326 3901.
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