Eyes are windows to the soul. On the other hand, poor eyesight makes life inconvenient, and even brings safety hazards to elderly who live alone. Ms. Ho, 78 years old, lives in a rooftop cubicle by herself. Since cataracts had appeared in both her eyes 5 years ago, she had not been able to see things clearly, and had bumped into things and fallen from time to time. There was a time that she did not realise herself mistaking the scouring pad for vegetable until she took a bite. The pandemic suspends public hospitals’ non-emergency operations, including cataract surgery, which she had been waiting for a long time. Her condition worsened during the long wait.

Thanks to HKSH Department of Ophthalmology who celebrates its 40th anniversary and offers free cataract surgeries to elderly, Ms. Ho had operations on both eyes before the Luna New Year, and was excited to have a clear vision again after all these years. It was surprising, when she returned home, to find that how filthy the dishes were because she had never cleaned them thoroughly. Now, she can finally live a safe life.

Ms. Lai, 72 years old, is another beneficiary of the programme. She had not paid much attention to her blurred vision for 3 years, considering it merely a sign of ageing. While her condition continued to deteriorate, she even drank with a glass with detergent residue. After the surgery, she was happy with her normal eyesight and joked about the disappearance of dishes mixed with rags and dirt. She looks forward to cleaning her home by herself and enjoying her life with her husband.

The Association is grateful to HKSH Department of Ophthalmology for providing free cataract surgeries for the elderly, which significantly improve the quality of life in their later years. We wish for more cooperation opportunities in the future to create a better living environment for the community.