Source: Guangzhou Daily 2013-03-11 DGA15
Written by: Liu Manyuan
Translated by: Wang Hui

A few days ago, Shatian Town, Dongguan City hosted the “show love and deliver brightness” activity to prevent and treat blindness. Experts and professors from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University were specially invited to give free consultation to over 300 senior citizens with potential eye diseases, which received welcome and compliments from local residents.

On the early morning of March 9, many senior citizens with potential eye diseases gathered at Shatian No. 1 Primary School in the settlement area of Lisha Island, Shatian Town. According to statistics, more than 300 senior citizens from 17 villages (or communities) in Shatian Town came on the scene, including men above 60 years old and women above 55 years old. They had free examination and medicine, and potential blind patients were put on records and given guidance on follow-up treatment.

On the scene, experts and professors from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center inquired patiently and examined carefully. They explained to the patients in detail about the condition, treatment and follow-up do’s and don’ts to keep fit. Medical staff in ophthalmology department provided free consultation and explained the knowledge of eye care and the nursing of eye diseases. They also offered guidance and free medicine to the citizens who were found to have cataract, glaucoma, ametropia and other eye diseases, and made them realize that only early detection and treatment can achieve better results. Besides assisting specialists from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, doctors and nurses from Shatian Hospital also provided medical consultation for other diseases.

The free consultation was widely welcomed by local residents in Shatian. “I can see a doctor at the doorstep of my home and get free medicine. This makes me very happy.” Grandma Chen, who lived in Lisha New Area said joyfully. Many old people said that it was inconvenient for them to move around. The special arranged bus took them to the free diagnosis, which made them feel warm and comfortable. The journalists noted that besides having themselves examined, some old people also took their grandchildren for an eye examination.

It is learned that the free medical consultation activity was one of a series of events in honor of International Women’s Day in Shatian Town. It was co-organized by the Women’s Federation of Shatian, the Family Planning Office of Shatian, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University and Shatian Hospital, with the aim to provide high-quality medical services to local residents and further improve their health level and living quality.