News and articles

Eye Doctor Shares Vision for Aid Work

Publication: St George & Sutherland Shire Leader
Author: Rashell Habib
Date: 11th November, 2008

DRUMMOYNE’S Simon Chen knows how good health care in Australia is after visiting Port Moresby. Dr Chen, a leading retina specialist from the Vision Eye Institute in Drummoyne, travelled as a volunteer to Port Moresby to provide eye care to the locals.

He said his visit to Port Moresby was a humbling experience. “In the short time I was in Port Moresby we were able to see and treat 40 patients for a variety of eye conditions including cataracts, retinal detachments and diabetes related eye disease,” he said.

Dr Chen said while the resources at the city’s general hospital were limited, the dedication and commitment of the staff was evident.

He said working in Papua New Guinea and taking part in other humanitarian work reminded him about how complacent Australians could be with access to high-level health care.

“In Australia we have access to quality eye screening and eye care programs, luckily we can provide these to some people who are less fortunate yet similarly in need,” Dr

Chen said. “But continued work in Papua New Guinea is needed and I now hope to make this trip more often.” Dr Chen said his trip was part of an initiative developed by the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and Dr Simon Chen travelled to Papua New Guinea to treat eye conditions funded by AusAID to deliver medical care to people in developing countries.

 Source: Media Monitors

Dr Simon Chen

Dr Chen appeared on Channel Nine National News in a story about a retinal surgery for epiretinal membrane.

Click on image to view video

Click for educational articles by Dr. Simon Chen on epiretinal membrane and age related macular degeneration

Click through to information on the Optomax conference and a report on Dr Chen’s lecture at the conference.