URUMQI: Ophthalmologist Kong Qingjian leverages his expertise to treat patients with eye diseases in the Xinjiang autonomous region, bringing light and hope to people with visual impairment.

His ophthalmology expert workshop was unveiled last month at the Bachu County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Kashgar prefecture.

Numerous people came for consultations. Kong used the latest instruments to examine each patient, inquired in detail about their medical history and provided advice.

Aynur Bagzat, a resident of a nearby town, said he went to several higher-level hospitals for eye problems but hadn’t received good treatment. “I heard that the hospital upgraded its ophthalmic equipment and invited an expert from Shanghai. I came specifically for him and now I get a good treatment plan.”

With about 40 years of experience in ophthalmology, Kong specializes in diagnosing and treating cataracts, glaucoma, myopia prevention and control and amblyopia.

In March, Kong signed a contract with the Bachu county hospital as an expert. After he arrived, Kong applied his experience to simplify the medical procedures in the hospital’s ophthalmology department, establishing consistent protocols for patient visits and the documentation of outpatient medical records.

From June to September, he treated many villagers at their homes free of charge. Kong said besides some common eye diseases, there are also patients with glaucoma and quite a few with optic nerve atrophy.

Kong said remote areas such as Xinjiang have an urgent demand for ophthalmologists. “Young doctors are eager to have learning opportunities, but few people come to mentor them. Although the doctors have received short-term training in inland areas, they lack clinical experience. Therefore, they need experienced experts to provide them with technical guidance,” he said.

Kong brought a few ophthalmology books and a retinoscope to the ophthalmologists at the hospital. He also gave academic lectures on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and hypertensive retinopathy. Over the last seven years, he has visited remote areas of Xinjiang four times to provide nonprofit medical services for patients aged from one year old to 101 years old.

With high altitudes and strong ultraviolet radiation, Yecheng county has a high proportion of people suffering from cataracts and other vision impairments.

“If patients are still in need, I want to continue illuminating the path ahead for visually impaired patients,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2024