The LASIK Blog

Harvest Vision Once Again: The Music Video

I introduced Warren Barootajan back in August of this year.  Warren is a 63 year cabinet maker from upstate NY. His poor vision from cataracts have contributed to his inability to work. Without insurance he is unable to seek treatment. He has become frustrated with trying to receive treatment thru a broken system.

Warren was able to participate in this year's Vision Harvest free cataract program last month.  Besides being a carpenter, I also discovered he is a songwriter!  he was kind enough to write a song, "Harvest Vision", and produce a music video for our Vision Harvest Program!

He wrote:

It was almost 2 years ago I was declared legally blind in the state of New York and I was without work or health insurance. Now I have 20/20 vision in my right eye thanks to Dr Silverman and so many others. As a songwriter I thought it was my responsibility to thank everyone who volunteered their time,talents and supp...lies on that special day , Oct 28th-2010, hence "Harvest Vision Once Again"
It is all I can do at the moment. please accept this token of gratitude

-Warren E Barootjian

Well, here is the music video, "Harvest Vision Once Again."  I think he did a great job!~  Hope you all enjoy it!

 

Vision Harvest 2010 A Huge Success: 24 Receive Free Cataract Surgery

 

Friday's Vision Harvest went off without a hitch.  24 people were able to have their vision improved with free cataract surgery.  These patients all suffered with cataracts, but were unable to seek the treatment they needed, as they had no insurance nor the means to pay for their cataract surgery.

I continue to be moved by so many of the stories I have heard since founding Vision Harvest last year.  I am also amazed at how far people have traveled to receive the surgery they so desperately need; last year from as far away as Indiana, this year, Tennessee!  It is so hard to believe there are so many people in need of medical care in our own country..

Here is a breakdown of this year's patients:

• Most of these patients were relatively young to have visually significant cataracts.  They ranged in age from 27 to 78, averaging 58.
• 6 were employed, 1 was a student, and 17 were unemployed
• Geographically, 19 were from New Jersey, 1 from New York, 1 from Connecticut, 1 from Maryland, 1 from Virginia, and 1 from Tennessee.  Several of those from NJ were actually visiting family members from India, Phillipines, and Western Africa.

Getting drops prior to surgery.

Three patients had to be cancelled because they failed their free medical clearance which was performed on the day of surgery.  This points to another glaring problem, not only can't these people afford cataract surgery, they can't afford to take care of themselves, medically.  We will be referring them to an area clinic, and once stable, perform their cataract surgery at a later date.

I have downloaded many more pictures of the day's event onto flickr for your enjoyment.

Ilene and Jackson congratulated by me for winning dinners at Serenade Restaraunt.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those responsible for making Vision Harvest 2010 possible:

• Keri Muli, Administrator, Barbara Kociuba, Refractive Surgery Coordinator, and the entire staff of EyeCare 20/20 for helping to organize and implement the program.
• Nancy Lord, Administrator, Hadley Phillips, Medical Director, all the physician-owners, and the entire staff of River Drive Surgery Center for allowing us to treat these patients at the center free of charge.
• Dr. Jay Tendler and Dr. Aruna Desai for providing free anesthesia to our patients.
• Dr. Enas Tupo for providing free medical clearance to our patients.
• Including me, the following surgeons provided free cataract surgery:

                Dr. Michael Farbowitz

                Dr. Ken Miller

                Dr. Scott Pomerantz

                Dr. Nahndi Williams

Setting up microscope for surgery.

• The following doctors will be providing post op mamagement of these patients free of charge:

                Dr. Phillip Eichler of Eye Institute of Essex

                Dr. Steven A Koenig of Nashville, Tennessee

                Dr. Earl Kidwell of Parkville, Maryland

                Dr. Nichilas Xanthos of EyeCare 20/20

• Gene Maresca and Steve Kramaritsch of Alcon Labs for supplying surgical packs, implants, and post op drops.
• Sarah MacKay of Bausch & Lomb for supplying post op drops and bags, and providing lunch for the staff on the surgery day.
• Pat Tobia of Hoya for supplying implants.
• Greg Cardone of Ista for providing post op drops.
• Mary Ann Hogue of MST for supplying surgical supplies.

 

We plan on continuing Vision Harvest again next year.  I have already received several inquiries from needy patients, and have begun a new list for next year's event.  If you, or someone you know is in need, please call our hotline at  

973-200-8250

Other people have asked what they can do to help.  It is important to spread the word.  Please join our facebook fan page and share it with your friends.  Finally, I need to mention that although many people have volunteered their time and resources, Vision Harvest is NOT run without costs.  We can certainly use financial support to keep thing growing in the future.  Money raised will help defray hard costs, such as surgical center staffing, equipment, and supplies not donated by suppliers. We are currently in the process of applying for non-profit status, and therefore this cannot be considered a tax deductable donation at this time.  If you are so inclined, please support our efforts!  I thank you, and our patients thank you as well!!

Vision Harvest 2010: From Tennessee to NJ With a Little Help From Her Friends..

So tomorrow is our second annual Vision Harvest free cataract surgery day!  I saw our final patient pre operatively today, and its a great story!  Shirley lives in Tennessee, can't see because of her cataracts, and can't afford surgery as she has no insurance.  Last year her daughter, Amanda heard about our program, after the fact, while surfing the web.  She called our office and was placed on this year's list.

When Amanda got the call about this year's program, she had only 1 concern, how to get her mom to New Jersey to get the free cataract surgery.  Her solution, a facebook campaign to raise money for transportation and hotel during Shirley's stay.  The campaign worked, raising the $600 necessary to make the trip!

I saw Shirley today, she is a good cataract surgery candidate, and will surely benefit from tomorrow's procedure.  We were even able to arrange for her to have free post op care back home in Tennessee.

As I told Shirley in the following video, "She has a great daughter!!"

 

4 More Days Until This Year's Vision Harvest Free Cataract Day!

We are coming down to the wire for Vision Harvest 2010 Free cataract surgery Day at River Drive Surgery Center.  As of today, 25 patients are scheduled to receive free cataract surgery on this Friday, October 22.  Patients have come from as far away as Virginia and up state New York to be evaluated for the Vision Harvest program.  We require very little:

• Visually significant cataracts
• No insurance
• Unable to afford to pay for cataract surgery

Patients are not required to be from New Jersey, or to be citizens; we don't ask these questions!  What we have found is pretty amazing: 

• Many of this year's patients are young with large cataracts
• Many have lost their jobs and the insurance that came with it
• Many are students
• Many have jobs that do not offer insurance

Here is another story of Gary.  Gary is working, but does not receive health care benefits...

 

We continue to hear about health care reform.  The recent over haul has done and will continue to address the issues that couple health insurance with employment.  If our government is going to require health care coverage for all, it must uncouple employer sponsored health care..

I am very much looking forward to Friday's event.  I will be sure to take pictures, videos, and report back to you all next week!

We are currently applying for Tax Exempt status.  Anyone interested in making a donation can do so here.

Vision Harvest 2010: Jeff Discusses His Cataracts, Glare, and Inability to Work

Jeff made the trip to EyeCare 20/20 last week to participate in this year's Vision Harvest free cataract surgery day, set for October 22.  He has been complaining of decreased vision and extreme glare.  This has affected his ability to work as a carpenter....  And we see that vicious cycle again: 

• cataracts cause poor vision
• can't see well enough to work
• lose job
• lose insurance
• can't afford cataract surgery

This brings up one of my pet peeves about our current health insurance system, it is pegged to employment!  When one loses their job they also lose their insurance when it is most needed...  Obviously this system is broken and needs to be fixed.  What do you think?

Vision Harvest 2010: Waren Discusses His Cataract Troubles

With the date of this year's Vision Harvest set for October 22, we are starting to see many patients at EyeCare 20/20 in need of cataract surgery who are without the means to pay for it.  I will be posting many stories over the next several weeks.  Here is Warren's story. 

Warren is a 63 year cabinet maker from upstate NY. His poor vision from cataracts have contributed to his inability to work. Without insurance he is unable to seek treatment. He has become frustrated with trying to receive treatment thru a broken system..

Cataract surgery will be provided free of charge to those patients with cataracts, who do not have insurance, and cannot afford the surgery. If you or someone you know is in need of cataract surgery,  please call the Vision Harvest Hotline at: 973-200-8250.

First Vision Harvest Bike Ride: 120 Miles For Free Cataract Surgery

Next Saturday, I plan on riding my bicycle from Livingston to Margate New Jersey.  I figure the route will be about 120 miles, it should be quite challenging.  I have also decided to incorporate my biking passion with raising some money for the upcoming Vision Harvest event.  Since August is National Cataract Awareness Month, the timing couldn't be better!

As I have previously announced, Friday, October 22 will be the date for the second annual Vision Harvest free cataract surgery day at River Drive Surgery Center. Cataract surgery will be provided free of charge to those patients with cataracts, who do not have insurance, and cannot afford the surgery. Those interested should call the Vision Harvest Hotline at: 973-200-8250. Last year,in our inaugural event, we were able to provide free cataract surgery to 20 patients.

Doctors will be donating their time and skills, pharmaceutical companies will be donating medications, and surgical companies will be donating surgical supplies, but there will still be costs to incur.   I am hoping to increase awareness through this ride and raise some money.   Contributions will help defray hard costs, such as surgical center staffing, equipment, and supplies not donated by suppliers. We are currently in the process of applying for non-profit status, and therefore this cannot be considered a tax deductable donation at this time.  Your help is greatly appreciated!

Vision Harvest 2010: Free Cararact Surgery Date Set

Friday, October 22 will be the date for the second annual Vision Harvest free cataract surgery day at River Drive Surgery Center.  Cataract surgery will be provided free of charge to those patients with cataracts, who do not have insurance, and cannot afford the surgery.  Those interested should call the Vision Harvest Hotline at:

973-200-8250

Last year,in our inaugural event, we were able to provide free cataract surgery to 20 patients.  Here is part 1 of interviews with some of the patients we were able to help last year.

I am hoping to treat many more this year.  If you know someone who can benefit from this program, please call or pass it along.

Over the next few months I will blog about more information concerning Vision Harvest as it comes available.

Vision Harvest 2009: Free Cataract Surgery Program Reveals a Health Care System in Crisis

As I stated in my previous blog post, November 25 was the inaugural Vision Harvest free cataract surgery day at River Drive Surgery Center.  Twenty patients without insurance, or the means to pay, were provided free cataract surgery.  I promised to post interviews of many of these patients the day after their surgery.  Well, here they are.  The video is in 3 parts, due to YouTube's 10 minute time constraint.

While you are watching these videos I am sure that you will notice several recurring themes dealing with a breakdown in our health care system.

• Many people who are gainfully employed cannot afford coverage.
• Tying health care to employment leads to no health care when unemployed, creating a vicious cycle.
• There are many large cracks in our current system which are not being addressed by the current health care debate.

After viewing these videos, I am sure that you will come to the same conclusion:  our health care system is broken and in need of an overhaul.  What do you think needs to be done?

Vision Harvest 2009 a Resounding Success: 20 Free Cataract Surgeries Performed

Wednesday, November 25 was the inaugural Vision Harvest free cataract surgery day at River Drive Surgery Center.  Twenty patients without insurance, or the means to pay, were provided free cataract surgery.

These patients had some of the largest cataracts I have ever seen, something one might expect in a third world country!  Their stories were heartbreaking.  I had a chance to video some of the patients that I treated the day after surgery at their post op visit at EyeCare 20/20.  I will certainly post the video, once I get it edited.  In the meantime, I have posted pictures of the event on Flickr.

At this time I would like to thank the following for making Vision Harvest 2009 so successful:

• Dr. Sapna Parikh, Medical Corespondent for Fox5, who helped to get the word out by covering Vision Harvest on the news.
• Keri McAuliffe, EyeCare 20/20's administrator, for coordinating the event.
• Dr. Hadley Phillips (Director), Nancy Lord (Administrator), and all the Doctor Owners of River Drive Surgery Center for agreeing to provide services free of charge.
• The entire staff of River Drive Surgery Center for working on their day off.
• Drs. Jay Tendler and Jayati Basak, for providing free anesthesia.
• Hawthorne Medical Associates for providing free medical clearances.
• The Following ophthalmologists for providing their services free of charge
• • Dr. Anthony D'Amato
  • Dr. Phillip Eichler
  • Dr. Michael Farbowitz
  • Dr. Scott Pomerantz

• Gene Maresca and Steve Kramaritsc of Alcon Labs for providing all surgical supplies and medications free of charge.
  
• My daughters, Jamie and Arielle, and my nephew, Todd, for helping me to see the patients in my office on Thanksgiving Day for their 1 day post op visit.

My goal is to make Vision Harvest an annual event, the experience was "eye-opening".  I never dreamed there were so many in need in our affluent community.  Many patients came from our local area, but some traveled from South Jersey, New York, and as far away as Indiana!  One thing became obvious to me, we have a huge health care dilemma in our country, and I don't see the current reforms before congress as an improvement to this problem.  More on this in future blog posts...