From Darkness to Sight: How One Man Turned Hardship into Healing

From Darkness to Sightchronicles the remarkable life journey of Dr. Ming Wang, a world-renowned laser eye surgeon and philanthropist.

As a teenager, Ming fought valiantly to escape one of history’s darkest eras – China’s Cultural Revolution – during which millions of innocent youth were deported to remote areas to face a life sentence of poverty and hard labor. Through his own tenacity and his parents’ tireless efforts to provide a chance of freedom for their son, Ming eventually made his way to America with $50 in his pocket and an American dream in his heart, where against all odds he would earn a PhD in laser physics and graduate magna cum laude with the highest honors from Harvard Medical School and MIT. He embraced his Christian faith and tackled one of the most important questions of our time – Are faith and science friends or foes? – which led to his invention of a breakthrough biotechnology to restore sight.

To date, Dr. Wang has performed over 55,000 eye procedures and has treated patients from nearly every state in the U.S. and from over 55 countries worldwide. He is considered the “doctor’s doctor,” as he has operated on over 4,000 physicians. Dr. Wang has published 8 textbooks including a paper in the world-renowned journal Nature, holds several U.S. patents and performed the world’s first laser artificial cornea implantation. He is the recipient of the Honor Award from American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Chinese Physician Association. Dr. Wang is currently the only surgeon in the state who performs 3D LASIK (18+), 3D Forever Young Lens Surgery (45+), 3D Laser KAMRA (45+), and 3D Laser Cataract Surgery (60+). Dr. Wang established a non-profit foundation which provides sight restoration surgeries for indigent patients who otherwise would never have the opportunity to receive them free-of-charge.

This is a story of one man’s inspirational journey, of turning fear, poverty, persecution and prejudice into healing and love for others. It demonstrates how focus, determination, humility, and profound faith can inspire a life that, in turn, impacts that of countless others.

“Dr. Wang is not only a dear friend and the very best eye surgeon, he is also one of the greatest people I have ever known.” - Dolly Parton

“To try to put my feelings about Dr. Wang, his accomplishments, his courage, his iron will and his faith into a couple of sentences would be tantamount to packing a Mack truck into a burlap bag. This remarkable man overcame all but impossible odds to become the best in his field and this world is a better place for having Dr. Ming Wang pass through it.” - Charlie Daniels.

“I have known Dr. Wang for nearly two decades – he is a respected eye surgeon and friend. What Ming has done with his life since arriving here in the United States as a penniless student over 30 years ago exemplifies the true essence of the American dream, and the freedom that we enjoy in this great country. I highly recommend his autobiography, From Darkness to Sight.” - Senator William H. Frist, MD, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader

“If I didn’t know Ming, it would be hard to believe the story of his life. But I do know him, and his life truly is a remarkable story of faith, persistence, and excellence.” - Bill Haslam, Governor of the state of Tennessee

“Ming Wang is well-known for the eye surgeries he’s performed to give countless people better sight. And it’s hard to forget that he’s also a ballroom dancer once you’ve seen one of his ads on TV. But what many people don’t know is that Dr. Wang also gives very generously of his time and talents so that blind children in other countries can regain their sight. What better gift can you give someone? Nashville is lucky to be able to count Dr. Wang as one of our own.” - Karl Dean, Mayor, Nashville

“My deeply respected friend, Dr. Ming Wang, has topped the heights of human achievement. Through his personal and professional triumphs he has captured the essence of what it means to be free and to be a loving humanitarian. The story of his unique life, as only he can tell it, will be a blessing and an inspiration to all who come to know it.” - Former governor of Tennessee Dr. Winfield Dunn

“From Darkness to Sight is an inspiring story that shows how hard work, optimism and faith not only can lead to personal success, but also make our country stronger. Dr. Ming Wang’s journey from dark days in Communist China to his career in the United States as a physician and philanthropist is a testament to the possibilities of the American Dream.” - Senator Lamar Alexander

Dr. Ming Wang is a world-renowned eye surgeon and philanthropist. Long before he became a pioneer in sight restoration, he was a poor teenager fighting to survive the chaos and danger of China’s Cultural Revolution.