THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 9, 1995 TAG: 9504070263
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARLENE FORD, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Mission Cataract USA, a 4-year-old, national project that provides free cataract surgery for those who cannot afford it, is being offered to Hampton Roads' residents for the first time.
Tidewater Eye Surgeons and Associates; Portsmouth General Hospital; Poplar Hill Diagnostic Lab; Alcon Inc.; Dr. Robert J. Marhalik, medical director of anesthesia of Portsmouth General; and Better Vision Eyeglass Center are all donating facilities and services in support of the event.
Mission Cataract USA was begun in 1991 as a local project by Dr. Frederick A. Richburg, medical director of Valley Eye Institute in Fresno, Calif. In 1993, the program expanded nationwide, and last year more than 300 ophthalmologists provided free surgery to more than 1,500 people. This year, nearly 500 ophthalmologists, including Tidewater Eye Surgeons, are expected to participate.
Those eligible include people of all ages who have no Medicare, Medicaid, third party insurance or any other ability to pay. Free eye screenings will be given in both the Portsmouth and Virginia Beach offices of the eye surgeons during April to determine the candidates.
Ten people will be scheduled for free cataract surgery on May 15, 17 or 18 at Portsmouth General's Center for Sight, as well as, receive lens implants and follow-up care. Such treatment would normally cost $50,000.
Dr. Jay C. Starling, of Tidewater Eye Surgeons, said: ``I've seen people blind for 20 years have the surgery and see again. A young man here at the Beach, just in his 40s, got so he could see only light and dark and motion, but the surgery turned his life around. Then there's always a grandmother who sees her grandchild for the first time after having a cataract removed.''
In Virginia, Tidewater Eye Surgeons is the only team of doctors participating in Mission Cataract USA. For more information, call the office at 397-4666. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Dr. Jay C. Starling, of Tidewater Eye Surgeons, said, ``I've seen
people blind for 20 years have the surgery and see again.''
by CNB