Former model loses vision after injecting steroids

A 29-year-old man whose vision started to get blurry after injecting steroids into his body sought the help of GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to "24 Oras," Wednesday, Mohammad "Mads" Hugo became an orphan at the age of five, which is why, at 16 years old, he started working early as a freelance model to help the family who was taking care of him.

"Nag-start po 'yun nung nagta-trabaho ako ng waiter hanggang sa kinausap ako ng may-ari ng bar na mag-stay ako, gawing modelo nila," Mohammad said.

To get more modeling projects, he said he injected steroids into his body to make it look better, even though he started feeling pain and his eyesight started becoming blurry.

"Mga pageant po, eh marami po akong kasamahan na nag-i-steroids. Malaki po ang pagbabago sa katawan ko, kaso sa loob ng tatlong buwan, nag-iba po 'yung paningin ko na, humina na, nawalan na po nang tuluyan," he said.

He eventually lost vision in the right eye, which was followed by his left eye.

To save his vision, he immediately went under operation in 2019.

Mohammad said that he can now only see a little light and his eyes often hurt because he cannot afford to buy medicines.

"Napansin ni Mads na itong mga nakaraang buwan, 'yung mga hugis na nakikita niya, unti-unting nawala. Naiwan na lang 'yung ilaw na lang. At mukhang ang dahilan sa pagkawala ng paningin niya, glaucoma rin dahil maganda naman 'yung pagka-opera ng cataract at nalagyan na siya ng tube implant para sa glaucoma," Dr. Edgar Leuenberger said.

Mohammad sought the help of GMA Kapuso Foundation.

"Sobrang laking pagsisisi po. Sana matulungan po nila ako," he said.

GMA Kapuso Foundation will deliver updates on Mohammad's story on Thursday just in time for World Sight Day.

For those who are interested to help, GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News