Lumi's Story

Brave Lumnguen makes a deal with the doctor

Dr Visay Chanthavong has made a deal with his patient, seven-year-old Lum nguen from Viengkeo village in Laos. 

If Lumnguen becomes a doctor, they will work together. 

But before Lumnguen can think about becoming a doctor, he needs to get his sight back. 

Two years ago, a forest fruit shot from a slingshot hit Lumnguen in his left eye. He didn’t cry, so his parents didn’t take him to hospital. But over time, his vision began to get worse. 

Lumnguen loves playing with his truck in the sand. He also looks after 10 chickens and has four favourites. 

But playing outside became difficult. He had to squint and cover his eyes to ease the pain and discomfort. 

Even walking to school became dangerous. Lumnguen needs to cross a busy road and struggles to judge the distance when bikes, cars and trucks are approaching. 

Finding the problem 

Lumnguen’s condition was discovered during an eye screening at his primary school in Vientiane Province. 

That’s where he met Dr Visay, an ophthalmologist trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation. 

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

Dr Visay explained to Lumnguen’s family that the injury had caused a cataract and that, without treatment, he could lose his sight completely. 

“Their family is poor and they worry about where to get the money for the treatment,” Dr Visay said. 

“But I explained to the family that if we don't do anything, Lumnguen might get blind, and it will affect his future.” 

With support from The Fred Hollows Foundation and the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), barriers to eye care are being removed for marginalised communities across seven provinces in Laos. 

This meant Lumnguen could receive the surgery he needed. 

A brave child 

Before the operation, Dr Visay visited Lumnguen and his family to prepare them for his surgery at Vientiane Provincial Hospital. 

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

Lumnguen’s mother, Chansouk, was worried about how much the surgery would change her son’s life. 

“She’s not worried about the surgery,” Dr Visay said. “But if she talks about how much it will change Lumnguen’s life, she will cry.” 

Lumnguen is small for his age and is often bullied by other children. But as he was prepared for surgery, he showed no sign of fear. 

“His mother said Lumnguen had many injections when he got his vaccines and he never cried,” Dr Visay said. “I asked him if he was ready for his surgery, and he said: ‘yes’. Lumnguen is a brave child.” 

Chansouk was too nervous to travel to the hospital, so Lumnguen’s father stayed by his side. She kept calling Dr Visay for updates. 

The surgery was successful. 

Dr Visay reassured Chansouk that Lumnguen was doing well, while explaining that it would take time for his sight to fully recover. 

“She’s so happy and now she is waiting for her son. I told her that I would send him back to you today. And she cried.” 

Four new chickens 

The day after his surgery, Dr Visay had a surprise waiting for Lumnguen. 

Four new chickens. 

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

They were a gift for the boy who loved caring for his four favourite chickens at home. Lumnguen was delighted and excited to play with his new pets. 

But there was something else he was looking forward to. 

When Dr Visay asked what he would do once his sight improved, Lumnguen said he wanted to ride his bike to school. 

For Dr Visay, helping Lumnguen means much more than performing an operation. 

“It is a privilege for me to help Lumnguen,” he said. “It is like I am being an instrument for a new life for him.” 

A doctor helping his community see 

Dr Visay understands how much restored sight can change a person’s life. 

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

As a child, he dreamed of becoming an eye doctor after seeing people with poor vision struggle to work and provide for their families. 

Today, he is the only ophthalmologist at Vientiane Provincial Hospital, responsible for eye health care for more than 500,000 people. 

Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation, Dr Visay is expected to perform 200 surgeries each year but regularly exceeds that target. He also supports mobile eye camps at Vang Vieng Hospital, helping people living in remote and rural areas access treatment. 

He takes an active interest in his patients before and after surgery, making sure they understand their condition and why treatment matters. 

“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.” 

For Lumnguen, the next chapter is simple. 

He wants to see clearly, ride his bike to school and, one day, perhaps become a doctor himself.