One second changed everything for professional golfer Jeff Guan.
At just 20, Jeff had recently turned professional and completed his first season on the Australasia Tour, achieving something he had dreamed of since childhood. The following week, in a moment he could never have anticipated, his life changed.
“I remember just turning around and then the golf ball actually hitting me.”
What followed was immense pain, fear, and uncertainty. A young athlete at the beginning of his professional career was suddenly facing a serious eye injury and an uncertain road ahead.
In the video, Jeff shares, in his own words, what happened that day, the support he received and his determination to return to the game he loves.
A moment that changed everything
Jeff remembers the immense pain spreading from the top left side of his head after the golf ball struck him. He felt frightened and anxious, but his family was there to help and support him through what was an overwhelming experience.
“I felt really anxious, felt really scared, but my family was there to help me and support me. There were so many mixed emotions that I couldn't even begin to describe.”
Jeff underwent surgery for his injury, and, after his second operation, his thoughts were already turning toward the game he loved. Rather than thinking about everything that laid ahead, he focused on one simple goal.
One simple goal. One step forward
“As soon as I got out of the second surgery, I think that thought was already, ‘If I can hit a golf ball, that's a good start.’”
It was a simple goal, but it represented something much bigger: finding a way forward. Recovery would take determination, with the support of his family and those caring for him. Sydney Eye Hospital became an important part of that journey.
“The Sydney Eye Hospital has been a major part of my recovery. I recently finished my season on the Australasia tour. Without their expertise, I don't think I would be where I'd be.”
Jeff has since returned to professional competition and completed another season on the Australasia Tour. His journey is a powerful reminder of the determination it can take to find a way forward when life changes without warning.
Giving back to help others
Jeff’s connection with Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation has continued beyond his own experience. He generously gave his time to attend our Fundraising Dinner, where he joined a panel discussion and shared his story with guests as part of an evening raising funds for Tele-Vision.
Jeff also donated a special auction experience: the opportunity to join him for a round of golf at The Australian Golf Club. The successful bidders, Jeff, recently welcomed them onto the course for their round together. By sharing both his story and his time, Jeff helped support the Foundation’s fundraising for Tele-Vision.
We are incredibly grateful to Jeff for continuing to stand with the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation. Linda Fagan, CEO of the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation, says “his generosity is a wonderful example of how one person’s experience can inspire others to give and help support the future of eye care.”
Behind every patient is a life beyond the hospital
Jeff’s experience reminds us how suddenly someone can find themselves facing a serious eye injury. For one person, it might be a sporting accident. For another, it might be an injury at work or at home. Others may face the prospect of losing their sight because of an eye condition or disease.
Whatever brings someone through the doors of Sydney Eye Hospital, behind every patient is a person with a life beyond the hospital: a family, a future, and the people and things that matter most to them.
This is where the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation supporters can make a difference. Donations support key areas, including specialist equipment, ophthalmic research, and training the next generation of eye specialists through the Foundation Fellowship Program, helping doctors develop advanced expertise while contributing to specialist eye care at Sydney Eye Hospital. Together, these investments support the knowledge, technology, and training that help eye care continue to advance.
Help make the next patient’s story possible
Jeff knows first-hand how frightening a serious eye injury can be. His experience has also given him confidence in the care available to others who may one day face something similar.
“If other people end up with the same injuries or similar injuries, they're definitely going to be in good hands.”
As the year draws to a close, your gift to the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation can help support the people, equipment, research and training behind exceptional eye care. Give today to help clinicians have the tools, knowledge and training they need to care for people facing serious eye injuries and conditions.
Will you make your end-of-year gift today and help support the next patient’s story?
Because when someone’s world changes in an instant, what happens next matters. Thank you for standing with the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation and helping support patients as they find their way forward.
Lachie Argy produced the video of Jeff.
