One of the most famous New Zealand eye surgeons would have to be Fred Hollows.
Fred Hollows was a New Zealand born ophthalmologist and humanitarian, renowned for his groundbreaking work in restoring sight to people suffering from preventable blindness. He dedicated much of his life to eye health, particularly in remote and impoverished areas of Australia, Africa, Nepal, Vietnam and other developing countries.
Frederick Cossom Hollows was born on April 9, 1929, in North East Valley, Dunedin, to Joe and Calrice Hollows. Growing up during the Great Depression, Fred’s father, employed as an engine driver, was one of the fortunate ones. Fred often spoke of how his parents’ socially aware values shaped his own formative years.
Fred attended Palmerston North Boys’ High School and later studied a Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University in Wellington. He went on to pursue his medical studies at Otago University, qualifying as a doctor in 1956. While studying in Dunedin, Fred was an active member of the NZ Alpine Club and climbed several peaks in Central Otago. During a backpacking trip up the Tasman Glacier in 1951, Fred had a chance encounter with Sir Edmund Hillary, who was training for Everest. Their lifelong friendship would later play a pivotal role in Fred’s work, as Sir Hillary became a key supporter of Fred’s mission to end avoidable blindness, serving as a patron of the Fred Hollows Foundation. Fred’s shared concern with Hillary for the people of Nepal – where blindness not only affects individuals but becomes challenging on their families – fuelled his commitment to eye care.
In 1961, Fred left for the United Kingdom, where enrolled in the Diploma in Ophthalmology at a hospital in London. Fred was awarded the prestigious Moorfields Eye Hospital Junior Prize, marking the beginning of his career as an ophthalmic surgeon (ophthalmologist).
In 1965, Fred was appointed Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales, where he taught both optometry students and ophthalmology trainees. This role exposed him to the healthcare disparities in Australia. In 1971, Fred established the first Aboriginal Medical Centre, and in the mid-1970s, he led the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program.
Fred’s work during the 1970s and 1980s had a significant impact on eye health, particularly in addressing blindness among Indigenous Australians. His later focus turned to global initiatives, establishing the Fred Hollows Foundation in September 1992. The foundation continues to support eye care programs worldwide, working towards the elimination of avoidable blindness.
In the 1990s, Fred extended his humanitarian efforts to Eritrea, where he helped train local medical professionals in eye surgery and set up manufacturing facilities for intraocular lens production. His work was later replicated in Nepal and Vietnam. In recognition of his contributions, Fred was awarded numerous prestigious honours, including the Companion of the Order of Australia, the Australian Human Rights Medal, Australian of the Year in 1991, and the Rotary International Award for World Understanding in 1993. He was also awarded the College Medal from the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists for his distinguished service to the field of eye surgery.
Fred Hollows became a passionate advocate for improving access to affordable eye care worldwide, training local doctors to perform cataract surgeries and making eye care more sustainable in underserved communities. His lasting impact is reflected in the continued work of the Fred Hollows Foundation, which carries on his mission and legacy.
Fred passed away on February 10, 1993, but his contributions have left an indelible mark on global healthcare and humanitarian aid. The Fred Hollows Foundation, established in September 1992 shortly before his death, focuses on eliminating avoidable blindness and improving eye health worldwide. Operating in over 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Australia, the foundation continues to make a profound difference in the lives of millions.
In a 1992 interview with Paul Holmes, Fred reflected on his humanitarian work, saying, “The essence of being a human being is helping others.” Fred Hollows undoubtedly lived by this philosophy, and his legacy lives on, continuing to make the world a better place for those he sought to help.
