The Department of Cataract, part of the Ophthalmology Hospital at The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, was established in 2004. Under the leadership of The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University and its Ophthalmology Hospital, and through the collective efforts of all medical staff, the department has continuously grown and developed. It currently employs 9 doctors, all of whom hold medical doctoral degrees. Among them, there are 2 professors, 5 associate professors, and 2 attending physicians; 1 doctoral supervisor and 5 master's supervisors. The department also has 13 nurses and 63 beds.

Leveraging the platform of the Ophthalmology Hospital at The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, and through the dedicated efforts of several generations, the Department of Cataract has consistently embraced innovation and pursued progress. It was the first in Jilin Province to perform phacoemulsification combined with foldable intraocular lens implantation. Its professional academic status and diagnostic and treatment level have always been leading in the province. The department is equipped with advanced phacoemulsification instruments, high-end surgical microscopes, and surgical navigation systems, as well as advanced examination equipment such as OPD, iTrace, IOLmaster, and dry eye analyzers. The doctors possess superb surgical skills and are adept at performing various complex cataract surgeries, including those caused by age, congenital factors, trauma, uveitis, and high myopia.

Through extensive clinical practice, the medical staff of the Department of Cataract have continuously summarized experiences, conducted research, and embraced innovation. In 2005, the department applied capsular tension ring implantation technology to treat cataracts accompanied by subluxation of the lens, addressing issues such as difficulty in posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and dislocation caused by broken lens zonules. This technique also maintained the integrity of the iris-lens diaphragm, stabilized the anterior vitreous membrane, and better met the physiological requirements of the human eye. In 2006, the department was the first in the province to introduce aspheric intraocular lenses. In 2007, it pioneered multifocal intraocular lens implantation technology in the province, meeting the needs of cataract patients for both distance and near vision after surgery. In 2008, the department was the first in the province to use Toric intraocular lenses, a new type of refractive lens that combines astigmatism correction with the spherical power of the intraocular lens. This improved the uncorrected visual acuity of cataract patients with astigmatism, reduced their dependence on glasses after surgery, and enhanced their postoperative visual quality. In 2018, the department pioneered the implantation of extended depth-of-focus continuous vision intraocular lenses in Jilin Province, providing cataract patients with full-range vision for distance, intermediate, and near vision after surgery. In 2019, the department introduced multifunctional intraocular lens implantation guided by corneal topography and surgical navigation systems, improving the precision of cataract surgery treatment. In the same year, it performed phakic intraocular lens implantation (ICL), offering a solution for highly myopic patients who desired to be free from glasses but were unsuitable for corneal refractive surgery.

As the leading department for cataract specialties in Jilin Province and a training base for cataract surgery in the province, the department emphasizes standardized surgical training. To improve the quality of surgery, we strive to provide comprehensive surgical planning and standardized training for every trainee. Over the years, the department has trained a large number of cataract specialists with advanced surgical skills for Jilin Province, significantly enhancing the level of cataract diagnosis and treatment in the province and making important contributions to blindness prevention and treatment efforts.

The Department of Cataract is also a key base for poverty alleviation and vision restoration projects in Jilin Province. It undertakes vision restoration programs for impoverished cataract patients within the province and nationally, and has also extended its efforts to international aid. Over the years, the department has relieved the suffering and restored sight to thousands of cataract patients, delivering warmth and compassion. It has received praise from cataract patients in different regions, achieving the positive impact of "healing one person, bringing happiness to one family, and warming one community." Through hard work, the department has implemented the government's policies for the benefit of the people, allowing impoverished cataract patients to experience the warmth and care of the Party.

With the rapid development of technology and the improving quality of life, cataract surgery has transitioned from vision-restoring surgery to refractive surgery. Cataract surgical techniques have become increasingly refined, and various functional intraocular lenses are being more widely used in clinical practice. This enables patients not only to regain sight but also to achieve full-range vision for distance, intermediate, and near distances, correct presbyopia, increase the rate of freedom from glasses, and enjoy comfortable, clear, and natural visual quality. Additionally, the department performs lens replacement combined with intraocular lens implantation to correct presbyopia and improve visual satisfaction. Mastering international advanced technologies and designing personalized treatment plans based on patients' needs to achieve precise treatment has become the goal pursued by our cataract specialists.

Today, the Department of Cataract is full of vitality and has become a flagship for cataract surgery in Jilin Province, with influence extending across the three northeastern provinces and even nationwide. It is steadily advancing toward higher and broader platforms. All medical staff in the department always keep in mind "people first, life first," serving patients wholeheartedly with superb diagnostic and treatment techniques, and striving to fulfill the people's aspirations for a better life.