(NAPSI)—Two years after an earthquake devastated much of Haiti, ophthalmologist Dr. Mildred Olivier is optimistic about the progress being made in improving the eye health of Haitians and the services offered by Haitian ophthalmologists. “I have hope for Haiti more than ever,” said Dr. Olivier, a Chicago-based glaucoma specialist whose parents were born in Haiti and who has been traveling to the country for years to volunteer her time and expertise.

Dr. Olivier visited Haiti a week before the two-year anniversary of the devastating quake. During her trip, she and a volunteer team of U.S. ophthalmologists, nurses and technicians provided everything from vision checks and eyeglasses to cataract and glaucoma surgery. Dr. Olivier and other ophthalmologists have also helped organize major donations of surgical equipment, supplies and ophthalmic medications that total more than half a million dollars. These are now benefiting and will continue to benefit people cared for in Haitian clinics and hospitals like Sacré Coeur in Milot and Bernard Mevs Hospital in Port-au-Prince.

Ophthalmologists have rallied to help Haiti since the first days after the January 2010 earthquake. The American Academy of Ophthalmology formed a Task Force on Haiti Recovery under the leadership of Michael W. Brennan, M.D., a military veteran with unique humanitarian experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. The task force worked in close collaboration with the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO) and the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) to help Haitian Eye M.D.s rebuild their practices and help restore quality eye care to the people of Haiti.

The long-term goal has been to create improved, sustainable eye health services for the Haitian people. From the very beginning, the ophthalmology community responded in overwhelming fashion, and thanks to the efforts of many dedicated ophthalmologists like Dr. Olivier, the drive to improve eye health in Haiti has not been forgotten.

 

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate(NAPSI)