Dr Visay’s dream to help everyone see

As a child, Dr Visay Chanthavong dreamed of being an eye doctor. 

The 42-year-old ophthalmologist from northern Laos followed his dream, motivated in part by seeing many people with poor vision struggling to feed themselves. 

“It’s my dream to let everyone see. If I do not help people with eye problems, they cannot work or eat and it becomes difficult to help themselves,” he said. 

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

Dr Visay – who was trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation – has been working at the Vientiane Provincial Hospital since 2018 and is the only ophthalmologist there, responsible for more the eye health care of more than 500,000 people. 

He is expected to perform 200 surgeries a year but regularly exceeds that target. 

Dr Visay also supports mobile eye camps at Vang Vieng Hospital, north of the capital Vientiane. 

The camps, supported by The Foundation and the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) are vital to patients living in remote and rural areas who cannot afford eye health treatment. 

Dr Visay will spend up to a month on the road at these camps, leaving his two children at home. 

“But this is my job,” he said. “I love being a doctor because I want to help patients in the community.” 

Dr Visay takes an active interest in his patients before and after their eye surgery, including 7-year-old Lumnguen who received cataract surgery after a traumatic injury. 

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

He visited the family to tell them about the cataract surgery and the positive change it would have on Lumnguen’s future.  

“I take patient awareness seriously. That’s why before doing Lumnguen’s surgery, I provided his parents with proper counselling so they could understand his condition and explain why they couldn’t delay seeking treatment, as he might completely lose his vision,” Dr Visay said. 

“I need to inform them before they decide. I need to fully explain how cataract surgery could improve Lumnguen’s life,” he said. 

“I am ecstatic that I could help him overcome his blindness. And I am happy that Lumnguen can now study, play and enjoy his childhood like his peers. He is also able to help his parents with gardening. 

“I think ophthalmology is my magic item to help people overcome blindness."

Dr Visay is helping people in Laos access the eye care they need, including children like Lumnguen, whose sight was restored through cataract surgery.

Your support can help more people access life-changing eye care, so they can work, learn and enjoy life with clearer sight. Donate today to help more people see.