Cataract is a condition in which the lens in the eye, which is used for focusing, turns from clear to cloudy, and in severe cases, vision is affected. According to the Hospital Authority, new cataract patients may have to wait up to three years for surgery. However, the cost of cataract surgery in the private market is beyond the affordability of some elderly people.
Uncle Zhang, 70, is an elderly man living alone. His eyesight is deteriorating and he is not as physically active as he used to be. Sun Ziqing comes to visit him every week, chatting with him and cleaning for him. Uncle Zhang appreciated Ziqing's concern, but did not want to give her too much trouble. However, Uncle Zhang has always thought that it is normal for people's eyesight to deteriorate as they age, but after an accident, he is forced to face up to the problems of his eyesight.
"Once I went downstairs to buy some food, so I carried the muleta and carefully walked down the stairs. But my eyes were not good enough to see the height of the stairs and I fell down. Luckily, a kind person helped me up and took me back to my house. I hurt my leg and was shocked. I felt that my eye problem was so serious that it was affecting my daily life and I couldn't afford to delay it any longer. I decided to see an ophthalmologist to find out what was wrong with me.
I went to the ophthalmology department of a public hospital with Ching. The doctor told me that I had cataract and had to be operated as soon as possible. I asked the doctor how much the operation would cost. I asked him how much the operation would cost and how long it would take. The doctor told me that there was a long queue in the public hospital and I might have to wait for 3 years before my turn came. The doctor also said that if I wanted to have the operation sooner, I could go to a private clinic, but it would cost me a lot of money. I am not happy to hear that because I am a retiree, I have no income, and I only get the Old Age Living Allowance from the government. I can't afford private clinics and I don't want to drag Ziqing down. However, if I wait so long for the operation, will my eyes get worse? I am so confused and I don't know what to do!
Later, Tze Ching told me that she saw a Facebook page called "Shun Yu Academy". It introduced information about cataract. She also found out that there is a Community Chest Cataract Surgery Subsidy Program, which helps elderly people with financial difficulties to apply for subsidies so that they can have cataract surgery in private clinics. I immediately contacted the staff of Sunyu Academy, who kindly told me that the Community Chest subsidizes the Hong Kong Society for the Blind to provide cataract surgery subsidy to the elderly with financial difficulties (subject to the availability of donations), so that they can receive timely surgeries to restore their eyesight, thus improving the quality of life of the elderly. Afterwards, they helped me to make an appointment to see a doctor for an assessment at one of the organizations under the Hong Kong Society for the Blind.
After that, I got the subsidy to have my left hand operated and my eyesight was restored to normal. My heart is full of gratitude and happiness. Thanks to the help of the staff of Sunyu Academy and the funding from the Community Chest, I will treasure my eyes and see more of this beautiful world."
If you or someone close to you has any problems in life, please contact us, we are happy to be a support for the elderly.
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