A ‘New Light’ for Khankham Found at HanGil Eye Hospital

HanGil Eye Hospital has given a beacon of hope to Khankham, an 11-year-old child from Laos suffering from congenital cataracts. Dr. Choi Ki-yong, the medical director, conducted the surgery. HanGil Eye Hospital and the HanGil Foundation covered all expenses, including surgery, treatment, and living costs.

In a situation where the success rate for congenital cataract surgery at local hospitals was around 20%, the assistance of HanGil Eye Hospital was facilitated through a Laotian health insurance project team dispatched by the Korean Hospital Association and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service.

Upon his arrival on the 13th, Khankham underwent a comprehensive examination at HanGil Eye Hospital for cataracts and other potential eye diseases. At that time, the congenital cataract in his left eye had significantly progressed to the extent that he could barely distinguish the number of fingers from a distance of 50 cm. Despite the high likelihood of a poor prognosis due to missing the critical period for visual development, the decision was made to proceed with surgery to prevent further deterioration of his vision.

On the 14th, Dr. Choi Ki-yong performed surgery to remove the opacified lens and replace it with a bifocal lens that allows for clear vision at both medium and long distances, correcting astigmatism. Khankham's unaided visual acuity improved substantially to 0.5 and 0.7 within four days after the surgery. In celebration of his brighter future, HanGil Eye Hospital gifted Khankham with a backpack and school supplies for his journey home.

Khankham expressed his gratitude, saying, "Dr. Choi Ki-yong seems like Santa Claus at Christmas. I am happy and delighted because I can see many things more clearly. My mom and dad kept asking me if I could see this and that, amazed and overjoyed. I'm thankful for bringing laughter and happiness to my family."

Dr. Choi Jin-young, the hospital director, shared, "We are pleased to offer a meaningful gift that only a specialized eye hospital can provide as the year-end approaches. We hope Khankham will continue to see, dream, and grow up healthily. We are committed to continuously supporting domestic and international patients who cannot undergo surgery due to severe eye diseases and financial difficulties."