Saving Vision in Honduras

Patient pictured is not patient in story, though a recipient of eye surgery with Dr. Merrill.

“I see you are wearing glasses,” Lora said excitedly. “And your eyes,” she continued with amazement, “your eyes are BLUE!” 

As Lora looked up from the operating table into Dr. Sarah Merrill’s face, her elation at being able to see was unmistakable. Sarah felt pretty good about it, too. An ophthalmologist with the Virginia Eye Center, this was Sarah’s first time to volunteer with the Brigade. 

Less than an hour before, Lora – only 30 years old – was completely blind from congenital cataracts. For several years, she had to be led by her daughter everywhere she went. And now, after a brief surgical procedure that must surely have seemed miraculous, Lora could see again, clearly. 

Lora was fortunate, notes Dr. Merrill. “Of the 51 people we screened at the beginning of the week for cataract surgery, we had to make tough decisions about who was most urgently in need of help. We knew there wouldn’t be enough time for all of them.”

On the first day of the week, five cases – surgeries – were completed. On the second day, the eye care team took on six cases. Then seven and then eight on the following two days, as their teamwork became more polished. On Friday, the final day, there was time for only two cases before they had to pack up and leave. This means that 23 people were told they’d have to wait another year – in blindness – before the Brigade could help them. 

Even so, the Brigade was able to take on more cases this year than ever before. This was thanks to Sarah Merrill's exceptional skills and two items of remarkable – and expensive – technology the Brigade acquired this past year: 

1. A phacoemulsifier. This sophisticated machine uses ultrasound to quickly emulsify a clouded lens in the eye and then aspirate it so that a clear, new lens can be implanted. 

2. A Zeiss surgical microscope, essential to the success of the procedure.  

In the hands of skilled ophthalmologists like Sarah, such high-tech tools save precious time on each case. She’s hopeful that next year, with good operating room teamwork, up to ten cases a day can be done. That way, no one will have to be left in the dark for another year.

Until then, the Brigade extends heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all those whose support brings light and life to our family in Honduras.