Imagine not being able to see for 20 years. Not being able to get a job due to inadequate vision. Not being able to see you grandchildren grow. And not having the insurance or ability to pay for the surgery to correct the problem.
These are just a few of the stories told during the 4th annual Free Cataract Care Day held on Friday, December 2 at the Roanoke Valley Center for Sight.
Cataract surgery is when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy and must be replaced with a new man-made lens. Cataracts effect about half of Americans ages 65 to 74, according to the federal government.
In late fall of this year area eye care providers began referring patients to the program who had cataracts but did not have the means to pay for the surgery. Patients who met the qualifications which included having no insurance and being unable to pay out of pocket were then scheduled to have the surgery free of charge. The normal out of pocket expense is approximately $3500.
Twelve patients from a variety of cities throughout Southwestern Virginia began arriving Friday morning as early as 6:30 am for this life changing opportunity. After checking in and being prepped by a volunteer staff of nurses and doctors, patients were rolled into the operating room for the fifteen minute procedure. Just moments after their surgery, patients could be heard saying, “Wow. I can really see!” and “You are as beautiful as I imagined!”
Some were simply crying for joy.
Thanks to the volunteer staff at the Roanoke Valley Center For Sight, Drs. David Kinsler and Jon Brisley at Vistar Eye Center and Dr. Eugene Eng at Eye Care and Surgery, these patients left the center in much higher spirits and with a much better (and clearer!) outlook on life.
