Chinese doctor Wang Mingxu- the -light chaser- who breaks through the darkness

In a recent interview with China News Service, Dr. Wang Mingxu, a distinguished ophthalmologist known globally, shared insights into his remarkable journey. “I grew up in China, where the values of hard work and dedication were instilled in me. Moving to the United States opened avenues to showcase my skills, and I am committed to advancing ophthalmology on a global scale,” Dr. Wang stated.

This year, the film “Sight” is set to debut in the U.S., featuring a character inspired by Dr. Wang’s own life. Born in 1960 in Zhejiang, he relocated to the U.S. in 1982 to further his education. After obtaining doctoral degrees in laser physics and medicine, he devoted his career to restoring vision for his patients.

“Eye surgery is incredibly intricate; every movement must be executed with precision,” Dr. Wang noted. He credits his meticulous motor skills to his childhood experiences, explaining, “My father encouraged me to build toys out of cardboard, like houses and boats. This hands-on activity nurtured my patience, attention to detail, and perseverance.”

Dr. Wang is dedicated to providing personalized care to each of his patients. “They trust me with their eyesight, so I owe them my full attention,” he emphasized. “From the first consultation to their recovery, I share my personal phone number with each patient to ensure they can reach me anytime. I’m always ready to answer questions and offer reassurance.”

On March 29, 2004, Dr. Wang made history by completing the world’s first femtosecond laser artificial cornea transplant. This groundbreaking achievement followed an eight-year journey alongside his patient, Joel, and his family.

Joel’s mother contracted a virus during pregnancy, leading to scarred corneas that left him blind. “At that time, the technology available couldn’t restore his vision, but we knew we had to give it our all, even if there was only a 1% chance,” Dr. Wang recalled. Together with fellow specialists, he explored many potential solutions. Beginning in 1997, he performed multiple surgeries on Joel, but results were not promising.

Dr. Wang explained that corneal transplants are the main treatment for severe scarring leading to blindness, but rejection is a significant challenge, and using artificial corneas comes with its own complexities. “During those tough years, we could only encourage Joel and look for viable alternatives.”

When Joel mentioned his plans for an upcoming wedding during a follow-up visit in January 2004, Dr. Wang was struck by the uneven thickness of Joel’s corneal scars. He decided to utilize femtosecond laser technology to create the transplant pocket instead of the traditional scalpel approach.

“This technology is usually applied to healthy corneas, but my experiments demonstrated that its wavelength could penetrate diseased corneas effectively,” Dr. Wang explained. He meticulously adjusted the parameters, established the operational workflow, and identified possible challenges.

The procedure, lasting almost four hours, was a success. “The day before the surgery, I mentally rehearsed every step countless times,” he shared. When the pocket was formed as planned, he felt an unprecedented sense of hope.

Six weeks post-surgery, Joel regained his sight just in time for his wedding. Meanwhile, Dr. Wang presented the world’s first femtosecond laser artificial cornea transplant findings at an international ophthalmology conference, inspiring hope for many others battling blindness.

With extensive clinical experience, Dr. Wang has authored ten English-language ophthalmology textbooks and shared his amniotic membrane contact lens patent with ophthalmologists worldwide, offering free teaching and lectures.

In the U.S., he has organized numerous vision care outreach events. Noticing that many patients postponed treatment due to financial issues, he established a foundation to support low-income individuals suffering from eye diseases.

To rally community support, Dr. Wang initiated a “Vision Ball,” inviting patients as special guests. “I particularly remember dancing with Kajar, a blind girl from India,” he reflected. After enduring severe burns from an acid attack and being abandoned at a train station, Kajar, despite not fully regaining her sight, found kindness from others. After receiving care, she returned to India, completed her education, and began helping other blind children.

“I hope the stories of the patients around me can inspire courage and strength, as that is the true essence of charity,” Dr. Wang concluded.