A Pakistani artist who lost her sight at night

Maryam Ali Shab of Karachi is suffering from Retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

In this disease, the eyesight works in sunlight but disappears at night.

Despite this disease, Maryam Ali nurtured her passion for painting.

According to Maryam, she was fond of painting since childhood, but the disease she is suffering from causes severe pressure on her eyes.

‘Sometimes it looks blurry and shaky even in daylight. The vision does not stay in one place, which is why works of art take a long time to develop.’

According to Maryam, she is so fond of painting that she faced her weakness and entered the world of painting with the combination of mind and hands.

She also credits her husband for her success, who made her take regular courses in fine arts.

Mary says that she has worked in every medium, including pencil work, charcoal, acrylic and all kinds of sketching and painting.

He has made a small studio in the house and all the walls of the house are decorated with his works of art.

She writes RP along with her name on each of her artworks which she says is not her weakness but her identity.

With the passage of time, their vision is becoming more and more affected.

Maryam’s flock is people appreciate her work but there is no encouragement at the official level.

‘Among so many artists, there was neither a place for a specific artist in any gallery or ministerial-level programs.’

What is retinitis pigmentosa (night blindness)?

In this disease, vision disappears after daybreak and one cannot see in the dark.

According to Dr. Barbel, after some time, the part of the eye that controls daylight also starts to get affected.

‘Initially, the disease affects night vision and after about 50 years of age, vision in daylight begins to deteriorate and cataracts develop.’

Dr. Burbal said that there is no cure for this disease, but the use of better food and medicines remains effective.

Food rich in vitamin D and vitamin A should be consumed. It may require surgery or glasses because of changes in the retina.

‘It causes bony spicules to form which severely affect the retina over time.’

According to Dr. Birbal, it is mostly a family disease. ‘The rate of night blindness is higher in men.’

According to him, one person out of five thousand people can have this disease.

According to Dr. Burbal, it is a genetic disease and mostly runs in the family due to marriages, but some people can be naturally affected.

(Editing: Bilal Mazhar)