Free cataract surgeries offer new vision for B40 Malaysians

In a landmark collaboration between the public and private sectors, The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital (THONEH), Malaysia’s first and only dedicated eye hospital, joined forces with the Ministry of Health Malaysia to host its inaugural Cataract Carnival—a two-day initiative that provided free cataract surgeries to 60 underprivileged Malaysians from the B40 income group.

The event aimed to combat preventable blindness, particularly among senior citizens, while raising awareness about the importance of early detection and equitable access to quality eye care. According to the National Eye Survey III (NES III), almost 160,000 Malaysians aged 50 and above suffer from low vision, with 8% experiencing blindness. Cataracts account for more than 58.6% of these cases.

Medical collaboration across hospitals

A key highlight of the Carnival was the multi-hospital cooperation, with doctors and nurses from Hospital Ampang, Hospital Serdang, and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang, working alongside THONEH’s medical team to conduct screenings and perform surgeries.

The launch event was jointly officiated by YBhg Datuk Dr Nor Fariza binti Ngah, Deputy Director-General of Health (Research and Technical Support) at the Ministry of Health; Dr Faizal bin Mat Arifin, Deputy State Health Director (Medical), Selangor; Yang Amat Mulia Tan Sri Tengku Azlan Ibni Sultan Abu Bakar, Chairman of THONEH; and YBhg Dato’ Michael Goh, Chief Executive Officer of THONEH.

“Good vision is more than a health issue. It is a gateway to opportunity and independence,” said Datuk Dr Nor Fariza in her speech. “The Cataract Carnival shows what can be achieved when expertise, compassion, and coordination come together. According to the National Cataract Surgery Registry, more than 66,000 cataract surgeries were performed in Malaysia in 2024, with the average patient age being 65. These figures reflect our collective commitment to restoring sight and improving lives, especially among our ageing population.”

Restoring sight, restoring dignity

Cataracts, which cause cloudy or blurred vision, remain the leading cause of blindness in Malaysia. Left untreated, the condition significantly impacts daily life, independence, and productivity—especially among the elderly.

“Restoring sight is not simply a clinical act—it restores hope, independence, and quality of life,” said Chairman Tan Sri Tengku Azlan. “We are proud to lead this initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Health and our fellow hospitals. It is our collective responsibility to ensure no Malaysian is left behind when it comes to something as vital as sight.”

Echoing this sentiment, THONEH CEO Dato’ Michael Goh added, “For nearly four decades, our hospital has been dedicated solely to eye health. This Carnival reflects our broader vision to bring surgical excellence and community service together, ensuring that quality care is not a privilege, but a right accessible to all.”

A second chance at sight

Among the 60 beneficiaries was 80-year-old Mr Yap Ching, a patient from Hospital Ampang who had been living with vision loss in his left eye for years. Accompanied by his daughter, he said, “I didn’t want to trouble my children. If I had treated my eyes earlier, maybe surgery wouldn’t have been needed. I’ll fix one eye first—if all goes well, then the other.”

His daughter expressed heartfelt gratitude, calling the Carnival a turning point that brought renewed hope to their family.

The event also featured free eye check-ups and educational booths focused on early detection and eye health management.

Looking ahead, THONEH plans to expand its outreach in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, with a shared goal of reducing preventable blindness and ensuring equitable access to high-quality eye care across the country.