Hundreds of patients see clearer during 2019 National Sight Week!
“I just wanted to tell you all how much I appreciate you helping me get cataract surgery. Everything went awesome. I have never seen more clearly and am now able to drive at night again. It’s amazing being able to wake up and see!” –Sandra, Operation Sight patient
Operation Sight was launched by the ASCRS Foundation 5 years ago to meet the needs of American patients like Sandra. Through Operation Sight, the ASCRS Foundation has created a national network of volunteer surgeons and ophthalmic staff members who give their time and expertise to treat needy cataract patients who have no other option. The growth of the program was evident during the fourth National Sight Week (October 20–26), where the Foundation’s network of remarkable volunteer surgeons and ophthalmic staff provided more than 300 sight-restoring surgeries to needy Operation Sight patients. Among those was the program’s milestone 4,000th free surgery, made possible by John Bell, MD, of Dean McGee Eye Institute. This important milestone is the direct result of the generous donors, volunteer surgeons, and many staff members who’ve contributed their time and talent to the Foundation’s Operation Sight program since its founding in 2014.
This year, Operation Sight volunteer practices not only helped change lives in their local communities but also helped the week-long celebration go viral. Practices shared a multitude of photos, messages, and videos with the hashtags #NationalSightWeek, #GiveSight, and #OperationSight on social media. The ASCRS Foundation asked some of its volunteers what they enjoyed most about National Sight Week.
Here’s what they had to say:
- “The smiles on the patients’ faces is the biggest reward for me.” —Thomas Elmer, MD
- “First and foremost, it is the gift of sight, just being able to meet the needs of patients who otherwise wouldn’t be treated, seeing their joy at getting their vision back.” —Lydia Lansberry, practice administrator
- “Knowing we will be able to help restore sight and impact a patient’s life in such a positive way.” —Glenn Campbell, MD
While National Sight Week is a 7-day celebration of local volunteerism, the Operation Sight program runs all year long. Consider volunteering or learn more by visiting the Operation Sight page. If volunteering is not an option at this time, you can still extend your impact as a sight giver through a gift to the ASCRS Foundation. Your gift is all that’s needed to provide an Operation Sight surgery in 2020 to one of the many patients on the waiting list.