The local entertainer has been appointed as ambassador for the VisionSave campaign which aims to support research on eye diseases and provide assistance to patients.
PHILANTHROPY
Ho Ching Lin (middle) and Dick Lee.
Dick Lee could have been blind. Last week, at the launch of the VisionSave campaign — a joint initiative between the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) — the famous local celebrity recounted his near-blind experience.
It all happened when Lee was celebrating his 21st birthday. He was partying with his friends at his punk-themed party all night. The next day, he woke up to find that his vision wasn’t quite right.
He saw black spots, similar to a camera’s flash, that blocked his vision and never went away. Later, he was diagnosed with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, a serious eye disorder that could have cost his eyesight. Thankfully, he sought medical treatment early and recovered subsequently.
Photo: Jane Ngiam.
In his 40s, he had to go through another eye surgery, this time for the removal of his cataracts — one of the most common cause of vision loss for those aged 40 and above, according to All About Vision.
The singer-songwriter, who wore glasses since he was three and had myopia above 2,000 degrees, had since recovered and has perfect eyesight now. So it comes as no surprise that the SNEC and SERI have named him as the ambassador of its new VisionSave campaign.
“I am extremely honoured to be appointed as the VisionSave ambassador. The importance of vision is something that I held dearly to my heart because of my past experience,” shares Lee. “I hope that with this new effort by SNEC and SERI, we can work towards saving sight for everyone.”
The joint initiative is set up to raise funds for financial assistance, public outreach, future-focused education, infrastructure building and research.
Adjunct associate professor Ho Ching Lin, director of philanthropy at the Singapore National Eye Centre says, “With the ultimate aim to save sight and improve the lives of patients, the VisionSave campaign represents the steadfast commitment by both SNEC and SERI to fulfil their joint mandate as the national guardian of sight, to innovate and translate medicine in the most cost-effective and impactful manner to ensure the best and optimal outcome for every patient.”
Singapore Tatler is also proud to support this year’s The Eye Ball 2016 gala held by SERI. The gala will be held on 19 November 2016 at The St Regis Singapore.