Cataract Carnival delivers community-driven eye care to Malaysians
In a joint initiative by the Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital and Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, the country’s first Cataract Carnival provided free cataract surgeries to 60 B40 Malaysians over two days. The program aimed to reduce preventable blindness, especially among older adults, and raise awareness about the importance of early detection and equitable access to quality eye care.
According to the National Eye Survey III, nearly 160,000 Malaysians aged 50 and above suffer from low vision, with 8% experiencing blindness—over half due to cataracts.
The event saw collaboration from Hospital Ampang, Hospital Serdang, and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, whose medical teams worked with the Eye Hospital to facilitate patient referrals and conduct surgeries.
The launch was officiated by senior health officials including Deputy Director-General of Health (Research and Technical Support) Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, who highlighted the impact of early intervention and cross-sector collaboration. She noted that over 66,000 cataract surgeries were performed in 2024, mostly on patients aged around 65, highlighting the country’s ongoing commitment to restoring sight among the elderly.
Cataracts remain the leading cause of vision impairment, and untreated cases can lead to severe quality-of-life decline and broader socioeconomic strain. Initiatives like the Cataract Carnival aim to bridge gaps in access and prevent long-term complications.
Hospital Chairman Tan Sri Tengku Azlan stated that restoring vision restores not only sight but also dignity and independence, reinforcing the shared responsibility of public and private sectors in expanding access to care. CEO Dato’ Michael Goh added that for nearly 40 years, the hospital has been committed to ensuring quality eye care is accessible to all, not just a privileged few.
The hospital plans to expand similar initiatives with the Ministry of Health, aiming to reduce preventable blindness and extend quality eye care across Malaysia.
Category: Community
