每次見到Dr. Alison Chiu ，這位眼科醫生（Ophthalmologist）總是笑容滿面。我對Alison說：「你笑起來，眼睛發亮，像會笑的呢。」
「是的，我是個很愛笑之人。面對一天的繁重工作，最好就是帶着笑意去逐一完成。」Alison就是有此「談笑用兵」的能耐。
到來求診的病人會相信，眼疾問題不管是cataract surgery（編按：白內障），或與refractive vision （編按：屈光視力問題）有關的手術，由Alison來操刀，該都可以迎刃而解。當Alison笑着對求診者說：“No worries”，求診者該相信：真的不用擔心了。
由父母說起
Alison，這位立足悉尼，出色的眼科醫生，有今天的成績，她說一切得由父母說起：「我的中國籍父親，他潛而默化的教導，讓我明白：工作的道德規範的重要性（a strong work ethic），懂得謙虛（a deep sense of humility），每個人都是平等的（every one should be treated as equals）。He is also a deeply pragmatic man, and that grounded mindset shaped me early on.」
「母親是愛爾蘭人，她有一頭火紅頭髮、深藍眼睛、燦爛笑容。她為人溫和、聰明、做事認真。」
Alison說："That combination gave me a foundation of grit and determination, combined with an ability to talk and connect with almost anyone。"
父母的優點，Alison都擁有了。她說讀中學時，不算成績優異。「但上了大學，一切都改變了。」本性害羞的Alison，很少交際應酬活動，把時間都放到書本上。"being tucked away in the library suited me perfectly."
家庭和睦 事業有成
在澳洲，當上母親後的Alison，一身兼數職：「孩子永遠是top priority。我盡可能負責接送孩子上學。但很多時候因為工作關係，仍得由nanny去幫手。我不算是嚴厲的家長。I want my children to enjoy their childhood, but also grow into kind and responsible humans.」
“I am to be firm but fair, and to create a peaceful, calm home.”
這位專科醫生，下班回家，還得準備一家人的晚餐。待孩子上床入睡了，她還得拿出laptop，繼續工作：writing lectures、planning surgeries、managing business development、organizing work travel。一天24個小時，可不夠用呢。
憑藉這簡單信念："To keep things running smoothly "，Alison做到家庭和睦，事業有成。一點不簡單。
為了取得家庭、工作兩者的平衡，Alison減少在診所的工作，以及到大學的講學。
對於她的工作，Alison很有滿足感："Helping people with their sight and restoring vision is a privilege, and my work brings me immense purpose and satisfaction."
最佳的外科醫生
走進Alison的診所，會察覺一切運作，井井有條。同意Alison所講："My theatre team is exceptional. Our atmosphere is calm, focused, and respectful. Building that team has taken time, but it’s been worth it."
"My clinic team is talented and hardworking, and I want them to feel appreciated and valued. "
“The best surgeons aren't just technically skilled──they're great communicators who stay composed when things don't go to plan.”
忙裏偷閒
Alison說自己喜歡忙碌："I enjoy being busy──it keeps me energised, focused, and moving forward."
忙裏偷閒，Alison仍會愛在早上享用一杯咖啡，與孩子嬉戲，靜觀日落。工作後，在歸途中，欣賞大自然之美："a way of recharging my soul."
Alison還去了德國Stuttgart，嘗試在賽車道上一顯身手"to fulfill a childhood dream"。
“My passion for sports cars helps me reconnect with a simpler, joyful side of myself. It’s a hobby that brings me exhilaration, and reminds me of the importance of taking time for personal enjoyment, no matter how busy life gets.”
後記
Dr. Alison Chiu向我提及IOL，見我不怎樣明白其中意思，遂傳來一段解釋：
“New intraocular lens (IOL) （編按：人工晶體）technologies are evolving rapidly──taking existing platforms and enhancing the optics to give patients a broader range of vision. Traditionally, greater freedom from glasses came with significant visual compromises, but these next-generation lenses aim to change that. Whether it's replacing a cataract or dysfunctional natural lens, or an implantable contact lens (ICL) for younger patients without cataracts, the innovation is exciting. I was honoured to be the first surgeon in Australia / New Zealand to implant this new lens for younger patients—and one of only three with early access—so we can build experience and help guide future adoption. Sharing information and expertise is a two way street and I was fortunate to receive guidance from surgeons in Asia for this first implantation.”
