MISSION CATARACT: <i>Vision center provides surgeries for those in need</i>

By BRAD DICKERSON
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW August 19, 2008 10:05 am

— Freda Nieman noticed a change in her vision less than two hours after a right-eye lens implant in 2007.
The Bowling Green resident came home to watch televised sports and immediately noticed that she could read the scores clearly.
“Within an hour-and-a-half after getting home, I was seeing stuff on the television I hadn’t seen in four or five years,” Nieman said.
On Saturday, Nieman was back at Glasgow’s Downing-McPeak Vision Center to have an implant put in her left eye. She was one of 25 scheduled surgeries that day as part of the center’s yearly Mission Cataract event.
The local group of doctors and surgeons joined hundreds of others across the U.S. who provided, at no charge, cataract surgery with lens implants and follow-up care for those who had no means to pay, according to a press release.
“We are acutely aware of people in our own area whose needs for eye health care are not covered by their own income or supplemental health plans such as Medicare, Medicaid or other third-party payers,” said Dr. John Downing in a written statement. “We dedicate a special weekend to perform cataract surgery for our neighbors in need.”
Alicia Vowels, marketing director for Downing-McPeak, said 28 individuals qualified this year, compared to 29 in 2007. Twenty-five of the surgeries were performed Saturday, with the other three set for a future date.
“They just need a lot of credit for what they do for people,” Nieman said.

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