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)
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