Source: Rouse  Hill Times

VISION-IMPAIRED sisters Moana and Leilani Faasisila have returned from China where they had therapy to improve their sight - with promising results.

The Quakers Hill girls, aged seven and five, were born with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis - while they were still in the womb their retinas were already deteriorating due to a missing protein.

Leilani has no depth perception and can only see colours that are vibrant. Moana can only see bright light and shadow.

Their only hope of improving their sight was stem cell therapy in China - at a cost of $38,000.

Through the support of the Rouse Hill Renegades rugby union team and the Ettamogah Hotel, the community dug deep at a cocktail fundraiser in February and in March the family of six travelled to China so the girls could receive treatment.

The girls’ treatment consisted of three intravenous injections, three spinal injections of donated cord blood, acupuncture, acupressure and electrowave therapy.

Mum Honi Faasisila said: “While we were there we noticed very subtle differences in Leilani’s vision.

“She noticed things she wouldn’t normally, she was able to differentiate between subtle colour and depth changes.”

Tests showed Moana’s optic nerve function had improved and she can see greater detail over greater distances.

The girls will be retested after six months to allow the stem cells time to further improve the damage.

“It’s unknown how far they will truly go and every person is different,” Mrs Faasisila said.

“We have no regrets. There were no guarantees to begin with.

“As parents, we know we made the right decision and with subtle differences already it means a better quality of life for the girls.

“Any improvement is a blessing.”