Why has YouTuber faced criticism for blind surgery video?
MrBeast
The world’s most popular YouTuber has responded to criticism following a video in which he funds multiple life-changing surgeries.
In the Post, MrBeast reveals that he paid for a thousand people to have cataract vision-restoring surgery.
But the clip, which has over 71 million views, has divided opinion, with some calling it “charity porn”.
The 24-year-old, real name Jimmy Donaldson, tweeted in response to suggestions that the video was made solely for financial reasons, saying that “the average MrBeast video lost $1,500,000 last year.”
He also argued the video “raised awareness”.
MrBeast, who has 131 million subscribers and recently became the world’s most popular YouTuber, initially said he didn’t expect so many people to watch the video.
As more people watched the video, there were questions and concerns about the cost and inaccessibility of eye surgery in some parts of the world.
Some people also suggested that rich influencers shouldn’t be used to solve bigger problems in society and healthcare.
But not everyone agrees, and some credit him for raising awareness.
Andrew Hodgson, President of the National Federation of the Blind of the UK, told BBC Newsbeat: “Anything that raises awareness about such treatable eye conditions as cataracts and funds people undergoing surgery to restore their sight should be applauded.
“Why would anyone criticize this work and draw attention to it through film and social media channels?”
A spokeswoman for Sightsavers, an international charity, added that they were “encouraged to see the issue of the global eye health burden being brought to a large public audience”.
“Eye health is often a forgotten topic when it comes to global health conversations, but eye health is an opportunity that empowers children to learn and adults to earn,” they added.
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One Twitter user notes that “the fact that these people needed charity to get help highlights the problem.”
But another user said, “Paying 1000 blind people for eye surgery is a nice thing, but when you turn that act of generosity into content, it becomes a cheesy and tasteless act of charity porn.”
The story goes on
dr Jeff Levinson, the surgeon who worked for the social media star, says in the video, “Half of the world’s blind people are people who need 10-minute surgery.”
MrBeast is known for videos featuring huge cash gifts and prizes, as well as charity work.
In 2021, he launched a separate YouTube channel on philanthropy, which itself has more than 10 million subscribers, and he has a licensed charity that acts as a food bank to feed communities across the United States.
MrBeast also gave some patients gifts like a Tesla and money
More than two million people in the UK live with sight loss, of whom 340,000 are registered blind or partially sighted, according to the NHS.
In the event that a person’s quality of life is affected by their declining vision, the NHS will offer an assessment and surgery if necessary.
The Royal College of Optometrists reported that nearly 44,000 cataract surgeries were performed in the UK in 2021 alone in one month.
Despite the mixed response, MrBeast’s impact on those undergoing surgery is evident in the emotional response of those he has helped.
“I didn’t think I would ever see again,” said a patient who had been a cashier but was forced to quit his job when his vision loss was so severe.
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