Actor refuses eye surgery to preserve eyesight

Actor Kim Bo-sung, who suffered an orbital wall fracture to his eye socket in a charity mixed martial art (MMA) fight against Japanese fighter Tetsuo Kondo, Dec. 10, said he will not undergo surgery which carries the risk of blinding him.

The 50-year-old film star debuted as an MMA fighter at Road FC, Korea’s largest MMA promotion, two weeks ago to help children suffering from cancer. Kim said he would donate all his prize money to the young patients.

The actor fell to the mat after his 48-year-old Japanese opponent struck his right eye. His right eye socket’s orbital wall has reportedly been deformed. Kim temporarily lost his sight after his TKO loss in the first round.

Kim already suffers from a visual impairment in his left eye and he wore a lens in his right eye for the fight.

Kim said he knew he had to give up as soon as Kondo’s counterpunch blinded him.

The actor announced Tuesday he will not undergo surgery as it could damage the sensitive optic nerve taking away his sight. Instead, he will undergo physical therapy.

“About 1.8 centimeters around my right eye’s orbital wall is fractured and 0.2 centimeters has been impaired,” said Kim. “It was too risky to undergo surgery knowing the possible side effects following the operation. Although I am an actor, my health comes first before my appearance.”