Mission Cataract Amarillo, in collaboration with Panhandle Eye Group, is extending a generous offer of free cataract eye surgery for qualifying individuals.
This initiative, driven by a commitment to public service, aims to provide relief and enhance vision for those who lack coverage under private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.
Cataracts can significantly impact one’s quality of life, hindering daily activities such as driving, reading, and recognizing faces.
Dr. Sloan Rush, an ophthalmologist at Rush Eye Associates, expressed, “We screen up to 100 people. Sometimes the number that we participate in cataract surgery will fluctuate and so we try to take care of everybody in the entire Texas Panhandle area and so the cataract surgery can vary from 50 to 100.”
The surgeries will be conducted throughout the week, with the goal of assisting as many individuals as possible.
Dr. Robert Gerald, an ophthalmologist at Panhandle Eye Group, highlighted the financial strain experienced by individuals due to unforeseen circumstances, such as catastrophes in the Panhandle. He emphasized, “These folks might have lost jobs, lost their insurance, but they want to continue to work. They want to get back in the mainstream or the workforce, and they cannot do it if they’re not able to function because of loss of eyesight.”
To determine eligibility, a free cataract screening will be held on June 15, providing an opportunity for individuals to avail themselves of this invaluable service.
