力行植林慈善基金會

Reflection on Yangshan Cataract Surgery Trip (Lam Ka Wing Kevin)

This cataract surgery trip to Yang Shan from 16th to 23rd May can be said as a “sequel” to my previous cataract screening trip in September last year.

My duties and responsibilities involved distributing cataract patients’ information to other volunteers in charge, directing patients to appropriate pre-surgical check-up stations, applying eye drops to patients awaiting further eye examinations and transporting blood samples to laboratory and collecting their reports. Sometimes when the occasion became busier, I had to be the substitute for others’ duties. This manifested the need to be observant of the general workflow and responsibilities of others at all times to avoid confusions. I observed that every volunteer’s duties are paramount to the organised and smooth workflow, and any negligence would potentially lead to disruptions to the efficiency. This perhaps was a challenge to every volunteer’s perseverance and patience, of which we often lack. However, these qualities became spontaneous with the environment in which everyone else was so unremittingly determined in their tasks.

I was carefully applying Eye drop to a cataract patient

I was ready to bring patients for X-ray check up

On the second last day, I was offered an opportunity to observe cataract surgery of 3 patients. The surgeon kept explaining the steps that he was undertaking and the relevant anatomy whilst he was performing the surgery, especially during removal of a cataract lens and implantation of an intraocular lens. I really profited a lot from such observation, and it was truly a second-to-none experience to me. After the surgery, the gleeful smiles worn on the patients’ faces moved me to tears, as they could eventually regain the window to the soul.

The doctor was performing cataract surgery on a patient. He explained clearly and interestingly step-by-step what he was doing throughout the course

From this trip I was also able to observe the environment of the healthcare setting and compare it to that of Hong Kong. Comparatively, the hospital in Yang Shan was less hygienic and had less advanced equipment, yet what drew my respect was the collaboration amongst the healthcare professionals and their warm care for patients.

All in all, participating this trip has deepened my understanding of the local needs and healthcare conditions, and have made me further comprehend the importance of a caring and sympathetic heart, especially when it comes to interacting with those elderly patients. The service trip entailed much invaluable opportunities to gradually prepare myself for working in the medical field in future years. As Rome was not built in one day, a continuous cultivation of relevant qualities as a future medical professional is prerequisite, and this trip seemed to serve such purpose effectively.

These are the patients who have successfully undergone the cataract surgery, regaining their vision

Lam Ka Wing Kevin (CUHK Year 2)