Unfazed by the heavy haze that evening in October, more than 350 guests to this year’s edition of The Eye Ball graced the event in support of eye research. The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) had an enticing programme planned, with guest-of-honour Dick Lee taking the lead with a mini gig of songs including Fried Rice Paradise. On stage, Lee also spoke about his chronic eye troubles, which he’s battled since a young age. As dinner commenced, lights were dimmed during appetisers, to give guests a haunting sense of what it could be like to lose their sight. The message was accentuated through a poignant video illustrating the experience of sight loss. A live auction featured colourful paintings by SERI founder, the late professor Arthur Lim, followed by musical performances during the dinner. Eye patient Stephanie Ow drew the bow on her erhu to perform the Yubei Ballad and a talented pair of violinists performed a duet of famous classical tunes.