Farrer Park Hospital has upped their corporate social responsibility game.

A team of four doctors from the hospital spearheaded an initiative recently to provide free cataract surgery for elderly residents from a rental block of flats in the Owen Road area, which is in the vicinity of the hospital.

Cataracts a problem for elderly

Cataracts are a major problem for elderly Singaporeans. It is a condition where the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, preventing sufficient light rays from entering the eye, impairing vision.

To help the elderly residents, ophthalmologist Dr Bobby Cheng from the hospital teamed up with Pek Kio Community Centre to help identify the recipients of the free procedure.

The hospital in turn received help from companies, such as Zeiss, Bausch and Lomb and AMO, that donated the necessary equipment and lens.

A total of 11 residents eventually received the necessary surgery and were given access to recovery suites in the hospital.

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More common than you think

According to a study performed by the Singapore National Eye Centre, 80 percent of Singaporeans over 60 years old suffer from some form of cataracts.

The cost of treatment can be substantial.

A surgery conducted at a private hospital would cost S$6,500 on average, while a subsidised procedure would still set one back about S$1,200, figures from Ministry of Health showed.

Cataract leads to other impairments

Some of the elderly recipients of the free surgery were at risk of leading less active lives as a result of their deteriorating condition if no treatment was sought.

One of them, Lee Geok Kow, is a senior citizen who looks after his deaf and mute younger brother.

Had Pek Kio CC not step in to refer his case to the hospital, his deteriorating sight might have prevented him from taking care of his brother.

Farrer Park Hospital won kudos for quick action

This is not the first time Farrer Park Hospital staff have been involved in responding to the needs of the community.

In May 2017, the hospital's nurses and doctors attended to a driver who had suffered a stroke while driving and remained on the scene until the Singapore Civil Defence Force arrived.

Related story:

Farrer Park Hospital nurses & doctors rescue driver who suffered stroke

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Top image courtesy of Farrer Park Hospital