Eye Team Treats Hundreds
in F.S.M.

September 2001

On August 16-31, 2001, a Canvasback eye team traveled to the islands of Kosrae and Chuuk, where they provided more than $322,000 worth of services to the islanders.  

These services included 77 surgeries--including 41 cataract removals with lens implants--282 extended examinations, 580 refractions and 465 eyeglasses dispensed.  The team also provided 19 Argon laser treatments for diabetic retinopathy and and 7 Yag laser treatments for secondary cataracts.  

In addition, more than $11,000 worth of surgical supplies and pharmaceuticals were donated to the hospitals in Kosrae Chuuk and Pohnpei. 

"The good news is that the ophthalmic needs in Kosrae have been greatly reduced by previous visits from Canvasback teams," says Jacque Spence, Canvasback's executive vice president, who served as team coordinator.  "The bad news is that people of Chuuk still have very great needs that are going unmet."

Team members included:

Loren Denler, M.D. - ophthalmologist
Harold Wallar, M.D. - ophthalmologist  
Sally Mellgren, M.D. - ophthalmologist 
Richard Graham - optometrist
Cynthia McCulloh, R.N., O.R. nurse
Ella Mae Wallar, R.N., prep. nurse
Lauren Petford, R.N., prep nurse
Sherri Denler, clinic coordinator
Jacque Spence, clinic coordinator

Dr. Aminis David, F.S.M. ophthalmologist, also worked with the team providing laser treatments for retinopathy patients.

We'd like to give a special thank you to S.E.E. International for donating much of the supplies needed for this mission.

The newest fashion in eyewear?  Cataract patients wait to have their patches removed . . . and their sight restored!

See more photos in our album.

Return to News Archives