Local Vision Care Services Possible Thanks to Community Support
Published Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Donations to the Lions Vision Care Centre will help fund a new ophthalmic operating microscope. “Modern eye surgery just is not possible without this technology,” says Dr. Francis (pictured), Ophthalmologist at the Lions Vision Care Centre. You can donate online at healthsciencesfoundation.ca/vision or by calling (807) 345-4673.
Local Vision Care Services Possible Thanks to Community Support
by Graham Strong
What do you do when you have to decide between travelling for an eye treatment or losing your sight? Seems like an obvious choice. But for some patients in Northwestern Ontario who have difficulties travelling, it’s a very real problem.
“One of the hardest parts of being an ophthalmologist is telling patients that they need to leave the region for vision care,” said Dr. Chris Francis, one of the four ophthalmologists (eye specialists) at the Lions Vision Care Centre at our Hospital. “That’s because we know travelling for treatment may not be an easy option.”
Age-related factors such as difficulty sitting for long periods, the need for oxygen tanks, and other health-related complications can make travel hard for patient and caregiver alike. Other patients struggle to pay unexpected travel costs. For immune-compromised patients, COVID has complicated travel even further.
The reality is that some patients simply cannot travel to get the care they need.
“It’s frustrating,” Dr. Francis said. “No one should have to lose their eyesight because vision care services are too far away from home.”
That’s changing thanks to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s generous donors. With their support, the Lions Vision Care Centre has been able to purchase new and advanced equipment that helps ophthalmologists perform more surgeries and diagnostics right here in Thunder Bay.
Donations to the Lions Vision Care Centre will help fund a new ophthalmic operating microscope. “Modern eye surgery just is not possible without this technology,” Dr. Francis said. “Eye surgery is so precise and happens in such a small space that we need to be able to zoom in with crystal-clear images.”
Vision problems are only natural as we age. Having the right treatment options and equipment right here in Thunder Bay should be only natural too.
Yes, we’ve made great progress, but our work isn’t done yet. You can help more patients get more treatments closer to home so that patients don’t have to make the choice between travel or their vision. Please donate online at healthsciencesfoundation.ca/vision, or call our Donation Centre at (807) 345-4673 right now.
With your support, we can ensure more eye patients can get the care they need, right here closer to home. Thank you!