14 posts categorized "Vision Harvest"

November 22, 2009

Great Response to Vision Harvest "Free Cataract Surgery" Program

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SInce Fox New York's coverage last week of our Vision Harvest program we have heard from many in need of cataract surgery.  These patients are without health insurance and have no means to pay for this vision restoring procedure.  Many of their stories are heart breaking.  I am so looking forward to November 25, when these patients will be undergoing their free cataract surgery.

Special thanks to Dr. Sapna Parikh, who covered this story on Fox.  I received and e-mail from Dr. Parikh today.  She forwarded me a message from one of the people we will be treating next week:

Topic: Dr. Sapna
Subject: vision harvest
Comments: I don't know how to thank you for providing me with the
information to restore my sight I was accepted today for free cataract
surgery.  I have been at my wits end for 2 years trying to figure out
how to afford this procedure. Dr. Silverman is a gift from GOD and you
are an angel for delivering his message. Thank you so much Dr.Sapna.

This message has been typical of the response from those we have seen this past week at EyeCare 20/20.  It certainly leaves one with a warm feeling inside.  As they say, "It is better to give than to receive."  I couldn't agree more!

For those interested in participating in this year's Vision Harvest program, there are still spots available for free cataract surgery for those who qualify.  We will continue to be seeing patients Monday and Tuesday this week to determine eligibility for surgery on Wednesday.  Those interested should call:

973-200-8250

November 17, 2009

Vision Harvest 2009 Featured on Fox' Good Day New York

Dr. Sapna Parikh featured our Vision Harvest 2009 program this morning on Fox' "Good Day New York".  On November 25, 2009, doctors at the River Drive Surgery and Laser Center of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, will perform FREE cataract surgery during Vision Harvest 2009, for those that are uninsured and can’t afford to pay for the procedure. 

The response to this airing has been awesome, over 20 people have called to set up an appointment to determine their eligibility since the segment aired an hour ago!  Thank you Dr. Parikh!!

This week, participating eye physicians will continue to be evaluating prospective cataract patients and scheduling them for their free procedure.  Eligible patients will have all eye examinations, testing, medications, and surgery provided to them free of charge.  For more information, interested patients should call 973-200-8250 to set up a free evaluation to determine their candidacy.

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November 10, 2009

Unemployment and Healthcare Insurance: Imperfect Together!

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Since announcing The Vision Harvest 2009 free cataract surgery program, I have seen several patients in need of cataract surgery with no means to pay for it.  I am very much looking forward to providing free cataract surgery the day before Thanksgiving on these patients in need.

I saw a patient in the office today interested in the Vision Harvest 2009 program. John DeCamp heard about the program through his girlfriend's daughter.  He lives 2 hours from my office and drove up today.  His is a story of the vicious cycle we hear about all too frequently.  Here is his story:

John is a truck driver.  He had cataract surgery on one eye 4 years ago that went well.  John lost his job last year, and the health insurance that went with it.  He developed a cataract in his other eye.  This cataract got so bad that he recently failed his DOT exam.  Without the DOT license, John is unable to drive trucks, unable to get a job, and unable to afford insurance!

John will be getting his free cataract surgery on the day before Thanksgiving, November 25, 2009. , and hopefully his life will be on the road to recovery.

If you know anyone in need of cataract surgery, please direct them to the Vision Harvest 2009 hotline at 973-200-8250 or my ofice at 973-560-1500.  We are here to help!

October 20, 2009

VISION HARVEST 2009: Free Cataract Surgery Offered For Those Patients Who Are Uninsured And In Need Of Treatment

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Here is a copy of a press release that went out today announcing Vision Harvest 2009.  Several of the surgeons at my surgical center and I have decided to provide free cataract surgery to patients without insurance and unable to pay for the procedure.  The date of this event will be the day before Thanksgiving, November 25, 2009.  All patients interested in this program may contact the Vision Harvest 2009 hotline at 973-200-8250 or my ofice at 973-560-1500.

So far the release has been picked up by NJNewsRoom.com.  I will keep you all up to date with regards to the program.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nancy Lord, Administrator at River Drive Laser & Surgery Center; Jay Tendler, MD, our anesthesiologist who will be providing free anesthesia services; Gene Maresca of Alcon Labs, who will providing the surgical supplies; Steve Kramaritsch of Alcom Pharamceuticals, who will be supplying eye drops for post op care; Kerri Muli, administrator of EyeCare 20/20, for organizing the program; and Alana Tendler, who will be assisting us in scheduling patients for the event.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: Keri Muli @ 20/20 Communications, Inc.

P: 973-560-1500

F: 973-560-0419

[email protected]

 

VISION HARVEST 2009

Local Area Eye Surgeons Will Be Giving Back This Thanksgiving Season

    Free Cataract Surgery Offered For Those Patients Who Are Uninsured And In Need Of Treatment

 

Elmwood Park, NJ, October 20, 2009- On November 25, 2009, doctors at the River Drive Surgery and Laser Center of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, will perform FREE cataract surgery during Vision Harvest 2009, for those that are uninsured and can’t afford to pay for the procedure.  In 2008, the United Status Census Bureau reported, that there is an estimated 46.3 million Americans without health insurance. “With so much emphasis in the news discussing the current recession and those Americans who have been affected by unemployment and loss of health insurance, my colleagues and I believe it is the perfect time to give back to our community. We all agree no one should go without needed cataract surgery due to finances,” said East Hanover ophthalmologist, Cary M. Silverman, M.D. who organized the event. “We want to make sure that any vision impaired person in New Jersey without insurance or financial resources learns about this remarkable program.”

 

Over the next few weeks, participating eye physicians will be evaluating prospective cataract patients and scheduling them for their free procedure.  Eligible patients will have all eye examinations, testing, medications, and surgery provided to them free of charge.

 

Participating ophthalmologists in this year’s Vision Harvest program include:

 

·       Anthony D’Amato, M.D.- Advanced Eye Surgeons of North Jersey, Bloomfield, NJ/ Dover, NJ

·       Phillip Eichler, M.D.- Eye Institute of Essex, Belleville, NJ

·       Michael Farbowitz, M.D.- Short Hills Ophthalmology, Short Hills, NJ

·       Orazio Giliberti, M.D.- Giliberti Eye and Laser Center, Totowa, NJ

·       Scott Pomerantz, M.D.- Metropolitan Eye Care, Paramus, NJ

·       Cary M Silverman, M.D.- EyeCare 20/20, East Hanover, NJ

For more information, interested patients should call 973-200-8250 to set up a free evaluation to determine their candidacy.

 

Cataracts are a progressive condition that cause the eye's lens to become cloudy, and eventually opaque leading to a progressive dimming of your vision. The exact cause of cataracts is unclear, but they occur in everyone as they age. Cataracts may be the result of a lifetime of exposure to ultraviolet rays, and other factors such as cigarette smoking, diet, and alcohol consumption. Cataracts can also occur at any age as a result of other causes such as eye injury, exposure to toxic substances or radiation, certain medications or as a result of other diseases such as diabetes.

 

About River Drive: Located in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, River Drive Surgery and Laser Center was created as an ophthalmic ambulatory surgery facility dedicated to providing patients with excellence in eye care in a warm and caring environment. The center is designed as a facility which is planned and administered to render a safe, comfortable, effective environment for patients and personnel, and to give assistance to the medical staff in meeting certain restorative health needs of patients without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.

 

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