BAYIKA KALIDIBEK, a 72-year-old man from Kashgar, Xinjiang, and his wife have regained their eyesight after undergoing cataract surgery performed by doctors from Shenzhen, as reported by Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

The couple was discharged from the hospital Monday. The surgeries were part of a charity event organized by the Shenzhen Project Care Foundation.

At the end of July, a team from the foundation, led by ophthalmologist Yao Xiaoming, traveled to Kashgar to initiate the first phase of this year’s charity event.

During a visit with Bayika Kalidibek’s family Aug. 8, the team discovered that the couple was suffering from cataracts. On Aug. 9, Yao and a local medical team informed them about the diagnosis and proposed a surgical intervention. Ophthalmologist Zhang Jing, from Shenzhen Eye Hospital, joined Yao to perform the surgeries.

On Aug. 10, the medical team helped the couple remove the gauze from their eyes for the first time after their surgeries. Upon having the gauze removed, Kalidibek enthusiastically gave a thumbs-up to Yao and his team, exclaiming, “The view is very clear. Thank you again to the Shenzhen Project Care Foundation and all the medical workers.”

After a thorough examination confirmed that their eyesight had returned to normal and their health was stable, the couple left the hospital. Yao mentioned that medical experts will be sent to check on the couple in the future.

In recent years, organizations from Shenzhen, including Shenzhen Eye Hospital and the Shenzhen Project Care Foundation, have organized expert teams to assist cataract patients in Kashgar. Since 2023, these teams have visited Kashgar four times and conducted over 500 free cataract surgeries.

According to the report, Shenzhen and Kashgar will officially sign an agreement under which Shenzhen will send a high-level ophthalmologist to Kashgar annually to enhance medical services in the region.

(Peng Cheng, Wang Jingli)