Retina rescue

Equipped with competence and compassion, volunteer doctors at the Tzu Chi Eye Center don’t easily give up on their patients. Leaving them in the dark is not an option, it seems, as they confront complications with optimism.

The case of Kamiel Tarranco, 27, was challenging for retina specialist Dr. Carlo Antonino Nasol. He had to save the man with detached retina from going blind and subsequently overcome glaucoma that threatens his repaired eyes.

Before going to Nasol, Tarranco consulted other ophthalmologists who frustrated him by saying his retina could not be saved.

Hopelessness began to overwhelm Tarranco, who was already demoralized for losing his job and helpless in relieving his parents. A neighbor referred him to the Tzu Chi Eye Center run by the Buddhist humanitarian organization Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines (TCMFP).

Nasol revive Tarranco’s hope of getting treated after telling the young patient, “You are very young. It would be tragic if you became blind. Let’s try to save whatever we can.”

With Dr. Daniel Jose Mendoza, Nasol operated on Tarranco’s eye in October 2024 and successfully improved Kamiel’s vision, TCMFP said in a Facebook post.

Tarranco’s ordeal was not yet over though.

“In the succeeding months, Kamiel’s eye pressure became elevated as a complication of the silicone oil used to reattach the retina in its place,” according to Tzu Chi.

Glaucoma doctors teamed up with Nasol and Mendoza to deal with the complication. A glaucoma drainage device was implanted on his eye to drain the silicone oil that was causing the pressure.

The device was expensive so Tarranco’s father, Ricky, a tricycle driver, worked double time to supplement the income of their small sari-sari store.

His mother, Rosalie, cooked snacks to sell for additional income, according to TCMFP. Kamiel strived to contribute by selling their products online despite his fading eyesight. Tzu Chi volunteers also helped the family in selling their products to fellow volunteers.

On 3 April 2025, Kamiel’s glaucoma surgery pushed through.

“Volunteer glaucoma specialist Dr. Maria Catherina Coronel-Nasol supervised Dr. Cathleen Joyce Villafuerte in the complicated operation of Tarranco, aimed at easing the patient’s discomfort and to stop the progression of blindness.”

The device was successfully implanted and normalized the pressure on the patient’s eye, according to Villafuerte.

“We are so grateful to Tzu Chi. From the very beginning you have been there for our son,” Tarranco’s mother said.

With the stable eyesight, Tarranco is back working after getting hired as a video editor.

The family is grateful to the foundation for all the help they got and continue to get.