Hundreds of people in East Africa received treatment this year through the compassionate efforts of two volunteers from AMSURG’s Connecticut Eye Surgery Center South.

AMSURG physician partner and ophthalmologist Seth W. Meskin, M.D., FAAO, and certified surgical technologist (CST) Diane Van Etten journeyed to Kenya and Uganda on medical missions for Operation International, a secular, non-political humanitarian organization founded in 1996 to offer free medical care worldwide.  

“Partnering with Operation International has been wonderful,” said Dr. Meskin, who started volunteering with the organization in 2019. “They have a nearly 30-year history of providing free medical care to people living in some of the most impoverished countries in the world.” 

Dr. Meskin serves as an Operation International director and board member. The board-certified, fellowship-trained specialist in corneal and cataract surgery also leads Team Restore Vision, which consists of volunteer ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses and ophthalmic technicians. 

“I’ve been honored to take part in six mission trips across Africa as a surgical technician, assisting doctors in cataract surgeries,” Van Etten said. “Each mission reminds me why I do this: to help restore sight, hope and independence.” 

Cataracts Lead to Vision Loss for Millions

Cataracts are the No. 1 cause of vision impairment or blindness in the world, affecting nearly 95 million people. A cataract is a cloudy or blurry spot on the lens of the eye that develops as we age. Left untreated, cataracts may impair or cause complete loss of vision. 

“As an ophthalmologist, I became very aware of the millions of people around the world suffering a life of blindness from cataracts simply because they lack access or lack funds to pay for care,” Dr. Meskin said. “It made complete sense to me to utilize the skills and training I have to restore vision to some of the neediest of patients.” 

To medically remove cataracts, surgery is the only treatment option. In developed countries, the standard procedure for removing cataracts is “phaco,” or phacoemulsification. The surgery replaces the patient’s cloudy lens with an artificial lens called an IOL, or intraocular lens.  

“Cataract surgery in low-income countries is done very differently than in the U.S.,” Dr. Meskin explained. “We do a surgery called Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS), not phaco. This eloquent surgery is equally as successful, but much more suited to the type of cataracts and the environment of these struggling countries. Only a small number of American surgeons know how to do this type of cataract surgery.” 

Cataract Surgeries Restore Vision

In February, Team Restore Vision became the first outside eye surgical group from Operation International to visit Kakamega in Western Kenya for a surgical mission. In a week, the team performed 247 eye surgeries. 

Six years ago, Dr. Meskin and several Operation International colleagues established the first eye clinic and eye operating room in Rakai, Uganda. In July, Team Restore Vision returned there and completed nearly 200 free cataract surgeries in just five days. 

“Without our help, these individuals would have nowhere to turn,” Dr. Meskin said. “It is not uncommon for us to encounter people who have been living with blindness for 5, 10 or 20 years until our paths cross.”    

Globally, more than 80 percent of vision impairment can be prevented or cured with proper eye care. According to the Annals of Global Health, only about 60 ophthalmologists work in the entire country of Uganda to treat over 45 million people (about twice the population of New York state).  

“People in low resource/income countries lack access to care. There are simply not enough cataract surgeons to meet the needs of the country,” Dr. Meskin said. “Where we were at Rakai General Hospital in Uganda, there was no ophthalmologist there. The closest ophthalmologist is about 2.5 hours away.” 

Working long hours with limited staff and supplies, Dr. Meskin praised Van Etten’s dedication to supporting the surgeons on Operation International’s humanitarian missions. 

“Diane has done six separate cataract surgical missions to Africa and does an amazing job!” he said. “There have been some mission trips where she was basically the only CST and has had to scrub simultaneously for two to three surgeons and work 14- to 16-hour days.”  

Volunteers Connect With Mission Work, Team

Van Etten said Operation International’s Team Restore Vision enables her to work alongside dedicated colleagues with the same focused mindset to help those in need.  

“One of the greatest rewards of these mission trips is the connection I share with my team members from all over the country. We come from different places and backgrounds, but we work together with one goal: to bring hope and healing to others,” she said. “The teamwork, trust and friendships we build along the way are truly special. It’s amazing how quickly we become like family, united by compassion and a shared purpose.” 

As the demand for sight-saving care rises, Dr. Meskin intends to remain active in Operation International’s humanitarian medical missions.  

“Cumulatively, my team has performed over 1,000 vision-restoring surgeries in Africa and has helped to train several nurses and doctors, but the need is enormous, and we can do more to help,” he said. “I am not yet sure where our next mission trip will be, but I am exploring multiple different countries in Africa and Asia.” 

Van Etten said volunteering her time with Operation International has positively impacted her life. 

“Being part of this international team fills me with gratitude and pride,” she said. “Kindness, service and human connections can make a difference. It’s an unforgettable feeling.” 

About AMSURG

AMSURG is an independent leader in ambulatory surgery center services, operating a network of more than 250 surgery centers nationwide. In partnership with physicians and health systems, the organization delivers high-quality patient care across a diverse spectrum of medical specialties, including gastroenterology, ophthalmology and orthopedics. Guided by its core values — Care Deeply, Champion Excellence, Cultivate Integrity and Celebrate Teamwork — AMSURG is committed to transforming the future of ambulatory surgery center care and services with a focus on strategic growth and innovation. To learn more about AMSURG, visit www.amsurg.com. 

Watch more about Uganda (13:03) 

Watch more about Kenya (13:50) 

Healthy vision enables patients to connect socially, perform daily tasks and maintain independence. When eyesight becomes blurred, faded or unclear, individuals may withdraw from previously routine activities, such as reading, driving or family time.

Vision impairment can contribute to reduced confidence, increased isolation and diminished quality of life. By preserving sight, we help patients stay engaged, autonomous and emotionally well.

Study Finds Visually Impaired Older Adults Stop Driving

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Transport & Health, 14 percent of Americans aged 65 and older experience either distance vision loss or reduced contrast sensitivity.

Researchers found that more than 25 percent of older drivers who are visually impaired stop driving within a year.

Cataracts or other eye-related issues can be the culprit for vision impairment or vision loss. Annual comprehensive eye exams help ophthalmologists diagnose any issues and determine the best treatment for a patient’s vision.

“Everyone gets cataracts eventually,” said AMSURG Ophthalmology Physician Advisory Board member Shawn R. Klein, M.D. “Many times, they’ll start off as not being that visually significant. Over a couple of years, the vision will continue to degrade, and eventually, patients will come in complaining of blurred vision. And many times, there’s nighttime symptoms such as glare or halos, especially driving the car.”

Patients who received high-quality, life-changing cataract surgery at two AMSURG ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) describe how their quality of life improved:

• Henderson County, Kentucky, judge-executive Brad Schneider noticed driving home from work at night became challenging because of cataracts.“The glare bouncing back off streetlights or high headlights was really a problem,” he said.Following cataract surgery on both eyes at the EyeCare Consultants Surgery Center in Evansville, Indiana, Schneider said his vision is the best it has been in adulthood — even driving at night.

  “The improvement in my vision is really tremendous,” he said.

• Retired angler Bruce Barkhorn knew cataract surgery was the best option when his vision made driving from his inland home to his boat on the New Jersey shore difficult, especially at night.“[My vision] was out of focus a lot, and it got pretty bad the last year and a half,” he said. “My boat is about 30 miles away from where I live. I’d get on a parkway, and it was a little disconcerting driving. So, I knew I needed surgery sooner [rather] than later.”After his successful cataract surgery at River Drive Surgery & Laser Center in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, Barkhorn now drives confidently day and night.

  “I get up in the morning [and] I don’t have to reach for my glasses anymore. That’s all gone now,” he said.

Partner With AMSURG

AMSURG surgery centers provide world-class care for patients daily. AMSURG has a network of more than 3,500 affiliated physicians in 20+ specialties across 250+ facilities across the country. We perform more than 250,000 ophthalmology procedures annually.

AMSURG invests in the growth and development of physician partners. We enable independent physicians to realize their personal and professional goals through innovative management, clinical support and strategic services.

Click here to learn how to find a clear path to grow your skills and enhance your career today.

About AMSURG

AMSURG is an independent leader in ambulatory surgery center services, operating a network of more than 250 surgery centers nationwide. In partnership with physicians and health systems, the organization delivers high-quality patient care across a diverse spectrum of medical specialties, including gastroenterology, ophthalmology and orthopedics. Guided by its core values — Care Deeply, Champion Excellence, Cultivate Integrity and Celebrate Teamwork — AMSURG is committed to transforming the future of ambulatory surgery center care and services with a focus on strategic growth and innovation. To learn more about AMSURG, visit www.amsurg.com.

Wearing thick, heavy glasses wasn’t a style choice for Abi Titus growing up; it was a necessity.

The Wayne, New Jersey, woman struggled for years to see clearly. Her high nearsightedness made distant objects blurry, and severe astigmatism distorted everything else.

“That’s always been a challenge in my life. I always had to go the extra mile academically [and in] all the things that I liked doing,” Titus, 21, said. “I’m squinting. I can’t see the board in class. I always have to sit in the front, and even then I have to take pictures of the board.”

Vision challenges in high school continued at the School of Engineering at Rutgers University — New Brunswick, where she’s studying chemical engineering.

“It was an ongoing conversation,” Titus said. “Am I going to get some kind of vision surgery so that I don’t have to be like this for the rest of my life?”

When the unexpected happened during a family trip to Niagara Falls last summer, it confirmed her decision to move forward with eye surgery.

“I was wiping my glasses, and they just snapped. And I didn’t bring any spares with me,” Titus said. “My vision was so bad that I couldn’t even make out shapes or outlines. It was just blurs of light. It was a disability when I didn’t have glasses, or I didn’t have a way of seeing. I was practically blind.”

Evaluation Determines Best Vision Surgery

Titus spent years researching vision correction surgeries on her own to find a solution for her eyesight. Among those procedures were LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) and the relatively new EVO Implantable Collamer® Lens (ICL).

A few months after the Niagara Falls trip, Titus met with ophthalmologist and AMSURG physician partner Adrian Jachens, M.D., to talk through what was best for her long-term vision, because not every procedure was right for her eyes.

“We did a full evaluation, as we do with all refractive surgery consults, and that refractive surgery evaluation ruled out LASIK and PRK for her,” Dr. Jachens said. “Then, we agreed that ICL would work well for her because she was a good candidate for it.”

LASIK and PRK treat vision issues by surgically reshaping the cornea. By comparison, EVO ICL is a minimally invasive, reversible vision correction procedure where a soft, biocompatible lens is placed between your iris and natural lens.

Good candidates for ICL surgery are adults 21-45 years of age who are nearsighted, with and without astigmatism. Dr. Jachens explained that ICL offers distinct advantages compared to other surgical procedures.

“ICL doesn’t have the risk of dry eye that LASIK can give people,” he said. “If you’re having LASIK, your cornea is forever changed, it’s never going to be back to normal ever again. Whereas the ICL is always reversible. [Your doctor] could always go in and remove that lens and swap it with another one.”

ICL Surgery Results in 20/20 Vision

Choosing EVO ICL, Titus scheduled her surgery with Dr. Jachens for Dec. 23 at River Drive Surgery and Laser Center in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, an AMSURG ambulatory surgery center.

“We call it a bilateral procedure because we’re doing both eyes, but they’re not done at the same time,” Dr. Jachens said. “They are two entirely separate surgeries from soup to nuts. The real terminology is same day, sequential.”

Titus was released to recover at home. At her post-op visit the next day on Christmas Eve, Dr. Jachens confirmed the surgery was a complete success. Titus now had 20/20 vision in both eyes.

“I was just reading and reading,” Titus said. “It was great!”

Dr. Jachens prescribed eye drops and instructed her to wear sunglasses for several days because of light sensitivity.

“My vision was returning quickly,” she said. “Overall, I was like, ‘Wow, I can see!’ I’m walking around. I’m functional. I can read. It was a merry Christmas.”

Finding Her Confidence With Clear Vision

Eight months after her procedure, Titus is filled with gratitude. Life without glasses has brought crystal-clear vision and a brighter outlook.

“This is such a privilege to be able to see — as someone who wasn’t able to see before,” she said. “I wake up every morning, and I don’t have to put glasses on. I wake up, and I can see outside my window.”

College life at Rutgers improved for Titus, too. With sharper vision, she found it easier to focus more fully on her coursework.

“I remember being in the hardest level classes in my spring semester and still being able to perform well,” she said. “There was a higher sense of ease because I could literally be sitting in the back of a lecture hall, and I could see.”

Living without glasses revealed more than just clear vision, Titus saw a new version of herself in the mirror.

“My confidence level went up,” she said. “You can see my face now. I can do eyelashes. I can do my makeup differently. The possibilities [are] endless.”

With her new eyes, Titus’ world is wide open for adventure. She’s finishing summer school, gearing up to get her motorcycle license and planning trips wherever the road leads.

“I’m just trying to make the most of literally living my best life,” she said. “Trying to make the most of my opportunities. Expose myself to new things. Learn new skills.”

Dr. Jachens celebrates Titus’ recovery and improved visual clarity through ICL.

“It’s really cool because I don’t think people that have relatively good vision can appreciate just how debilitating that sort of myopia really is,” he said. “I’m just happy that Miss Titus did so well.”

ASCs Put Patient Comfort First

Following her successful ICL surgery, Titus said she would recommend procedures at an ambulatory surgery center like River Drive.

“The team is much more receptive and much more willing to accommodate you,” she said. “They were very in tune to my needs, especially during the procedure.”

ASCs offer same-day procedures using advanced technology in a comfortable setting with easy parking, often at reduced costs, and with the convenience of recovering at home.

“Because this is intraocular surgery, you need a very sterile environment,” Dr. Jachens said. “The ambulatory surgical center experience is always going to be best for both surgeon and patient. Hospitals are not really equipped, nor do they have much experience with a procedure like this.”

About AMSURG

AMSURG is an independent leader in ambulatory surgery center services, operating a network of more than 250 surgery centers nationwide. In partnership with physicians and health systems, the organization delivers high-quality patient care across a diverse spectrum of medical specialties, including gastroenterology, ophthalmology and orthopedics. Guided by its core values — Care Deeply, Champion Excellence, Cultivate Integrity and Celebrate Teamwork — AMSURG is committed to transforming the future of ambulatory surgery center care and services with a focus on strategic growth and innovation. To learn more about AMSURG, visit www.amsurg.com.

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This article is designed for educational purposes only. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health concern or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health concern, you should consult your healthcare provider.