After some time in the planning I recently made my second journey on behalf of Sight For All – A Shared Vision, a charity based in Adelaide.

The aim of this visit to Phnom Penh in Cambodia, as per my initial visit to Hanoi in Vietnam, was to focus on training Dr Khong, an ophthalmologist, and her staff, in the fitting of all types of gas permeable contact lenses.

Sight for All focuses on delivering sustainable sight-saving solutions in partnering communities. We aim to train Dr Khong to a suitable level so that she can then fit contact lenses to the numerous patients that visit her at the Eye Clinic of the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital.

Once Dr Khong is up to speed, she can then be the trainer and pass on her skills to others within the eye clinic.

I spent most of my week in Cambodia teaching the theory of fitting these gas permeable contact lenses.

We consulted with a handful of patients and fitted them with contact lenses and reviewed the corresponding theory that had been taught.

It was a very grounding experience as we take so much for granted here in our western society. Many Cambodians have so little yet they are so happy and very helpful. It would be wonderful if we could all experience what others don’t have, how they live and their amazing attitude to life.

I look forward to continuing to help Dr Khong and her team via email, Facetime and in the future.