EyeWorld Asia-Pacific September 2014 Issue

Professor Arthur Lim Siew Ming, 1934-2014 Founding & Honorary Life President Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS) Founding Medical Director Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) Founding Chairman Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) “If you operate on one man, you restore vision to one man, but if you teach your colleagues how to perform quality cataract surgery, they will solve the problem of cataract blindness in the world.” – Professor Arthur S.M. Lim The Asia-Paci c Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS), formerly known as the Asia-Paci c Intraocular Implant Association (APIIA), was founded by Professor Arthur S.M. Lim, a pioneer who recruited and worked with expert ophthalmic microsurgeons from around the world to introduce microsurgical techniques and intraocular lens implant technology to the region. Prof. Lim and these experts taught thousands of ophthalmologists, many of whom have returned to their homelands to become leaders in their profession. Prof. Lim’s name became synonymous with sterling eye developments, including the creation of the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), and the Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital (NUH). He also helped establish the International Intraocular Implant Training Centre in Tianjin, now the Tianjin Medical University Eye Centre. All these institutions are now centers of excellence, continuing his life-long dedication and commitment to the promotion of quality eye care, education, and research. Having held numerous positions in international ophthalmology organizations and a recipient of numerous awards for his extraordinary contributions over the last ve decades, Prof. Lim leaves an indelible mark in the history of ophthalmology not only in Singapore but also in the region and the world. He will always be fondly remembered as our Founding Father, Leader, Advocate, and Mentor. Professor Arthur S.M. Lim, visionary leader and venerable father of ophthalmology in Singapore, the Asia-Paci c region, and the world, passed away peacefully in his home on 30 August 2014, with his loving family and close ones by his side.