Day 3 of
clinic and we saw about 800 patients today; there were lineups of people
everywhere!!! Once again, I saw many people with severe cataracts, much more
advance than we would ever see in practice back at home. The most
heart-wrenching reality here is that we are not able to offer treatment to
every patient who needs
it. Eye diseases, cataracts and possibly some infections may go untreated
because we do not have enough resources to provide everyone with "first
world" vision care. It is the second day where we have local final-year
optometry students work with us, and it was incredibly helpful to having them
translate and assist. The effects of different visual issues are much better
translated and explain by optometry-educated translators. Prescriptions were
written today for people who needed very high powered glasses, who hadn't had
glasses for years, if ever. It is amazing how our team can care for so many
people in a matter of 10 or so hours. Tomorrow is a whole different scenery as
we will be moving clinic sites. The anticipation is present, but my tiredness
drowns all other feelings out. Tiredness never felt so rewarding.
Fellow
Doctor
TWECS
Team Member
Team members never forget to laugh and have fun.
"Brigida Quillosa" Is an 84 year old lady that came in during the first hour of
registration with the biggest smile and feistiest of energy, even though by far
the most petite, frail little lady with the tiniest arms and legs weighing maybe
80 pounds. Brigida has never seen any day to day activity on the streets of her
neighbourhood as she is nearsighted to the point of blindness. We were able to
find a beautiful pair of -10.00 eyeglasses to match "what the TWECS Doctor
ordered". "I can see all the people now" were her first words. In addition to
helping her see distance Brigida also received a pair of reading glasses that
she was also very grateful for. Thanks to our leader Dr. Marina Roma-March, who
makes miracles like this possible.
Brenda Tosoff,
TWECS Team Member
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