Peter Kandasamy

Alcon Surgical Equipment Manager

Peter was born in Malaysia and completed his primary and secondary schooling in Tanjong Malin & Rawang. Growing up in a rubber plantation as a kid, Peter’s parents went through a tough time raising a family of 6. I was very lucky enough to attend English school when I was 6 years old, especially from an Indian background in the early 60’’s Then I moved to Kuala Lumpur when I was 18 and started to work in a Law firm as a junior clerk. Opportunity arrived when I was in Kuala Lumpur to travel to Australia, so I sold my Honda Motor Bike to finance my trip to Australia.

After arriving in Australia in 1974, Peter worked a few odd jobs in Perth & Melbourne, finally a friend of mine recommended that Peter should apply for a job at the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital in Melbourne. Whilst initially applying to pursue nursing, an opportunity arose to be a Operating Theatre & Anesthetist Technician thus kickstarting the beginning of Peter’sOphthalmology journey in 1975 at the Eye and Ear Hospital. In 1996, then joined Alcon in as a Surgical Account Manager and is now a Cataract Equipment Manager. Seeing so many Cataract Surgeries from ECCE to Phaco with 2.4mm incisions and outcomes in the operating theatre, motivated Peter to seek an opportunity to use his knowledge and skills to join any organisation which helps the poor in the third world country to restore eye sights.

Then in 2006 Dr.Tess Huynh asked Peter to assist her and AHHA (formerly Vietnam Vision Project) with small incision Cataract surgery using the Phaco machine: Peter's first trip with a small group of Australian medical professionals. The team in 2006 only had one old portable phaco machine which Peter borrowed from Alcon for the trip. Since working with Alcon, has been an incredible asset toAHHA and been instrumental to our charity’s success with giving back sight to the poor in the third world. Below was the first Phaco Machine used on the 2006 trip in 2006.

After 16 years AHHA, there are now 6 Infiniti’s stored in Cambodia for our yearly trip, these Infinit’s were kindly donated by Alcon and various hospitals in Victoria as a direct result of Peter’s advocacy.

At AHHA Peter’s role involves organising the Intra Ocular Lenses & Consumables for cataract surgery. During field trips his day to day consists of running & managing the phaco machines and assisting the ophthalmic operating theatre. Peter's current role for Alcon Australia as a Cataract Equipment Manager, which gives him the unique opportunities to collect donated consumables and other medical devices for AHHA’s trip from various hospitals.

After his first trip in 2006 with the group, Peter was amazed to see how the poor lived in the rural area without any medical assistance which prompted him to be an active member and help in whatever capacity he could. Since 2006, AHHA has been like another family to him and he always looks forward to not only seeing the group but also enjoys spending the long working days with our volunteers . The most memorable moment for Peter during field trips was the 2 to 3 hours travel per day via bus to work, take away breakfast and the team singalongs on the journey there. Despite the wake-up calls at 5 am and the late returns to the hotel around 7 pm, you still see very happy volunteers after a long day’s work.