Bev and John Dolcetti Donate Entire Cost of Laser Eye Surgery Equipment
Published Monday, September 9, 2024
Pictured (L-R) Bev Dolcetti, Dr. Vishaal Bhambhwani and John Dolcetti.
Generous Donation Ensures Vital Service Continues in Thunder Bay
by Graham Strong
Have you ever taken a bus from Thunder Bay to Duluth to Madison, Wisconsin alone and with a detached retina, just to get eye surgery? As a new teacher, Bev Dolcetti went on that journey – and it was not a pleasant experience. So, when she read the article about Dr. Vishaal Bhambhwani and his quest to raise $45,000 for the closer-to-home laser, Bev and her husband John Dolcetti decided this was a very good cause and purchased the laser.
"I was on my way to work when it happened," Bev said. "I realized that there was a serious problem with my right eye. The principal at my school, Art Somppi, referred me to Dr. Steve Campbell."
Dr. Campbell correctly diagnosed her with a detached retina. He sent her immediately to Winnipeg for emergency surgery, but instead she spent 21 days in hospital being treated for an infection she did not have.
Dr. Campbell continued monitoring her after she returned home, but there was no improvement. He decided to send Bev to St. Luke's in Duluth, which referred her to the Davis Duehr Eye Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin. There, Bev had a scleral buckle procedure to prevent further damage to the retina, but by that time she had lost the sight in her eye. She spent another two weeks recovering there before finally returning home. Within a few months, she travelled once again to the Toronto General Hospital for laser surgery on the other eye to prevent a retina tear.
Going through these operations was not pleasant – especially alone. There weren't any iPhones back then and long distance calls were expensive, so it was difficult to keep in contact with home. For most of her adult life, Bev has been going to eye doctors every six months. She received excellent care for many years from Dr. Bill Ulkovic and now Dr. Olivia Young at Harbourview Optometry, as well as Dr. Leland Dhurjon with the Port Arthur Clinic and Lions Vision Care Centre at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Treating patients in Thunder Bay is so important. Today, a retinal tear can be fixed here at the Lions Vision Care Centre with laser eye surgery before it detaches. However, the previous laser was getting old and was prone to breakdowns. Considering a torn retina can fully detach within days, it meant more patients in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario were at risk of travelling for eye care.
"Dr. Bhambhwani called the new laser 'vital' and he's absolutely right," Bev said. "I know firsthand what it's like to travel here, there, and everywhere for eye surgery. He explained exactly how this new laser would give patients the eye care they need closer to home. We are happy he's able to get this new equipment."
A big thank you to John and Bev Dolcetti to help bring closer-to-home eye care to Thunder Bay!
You can support the Lions Vision Care Centre too with future equipment purchases by donating online at: healthsciencesfoundation.ca/vision. You can also visit the donation centre in the Hospital main lobby or call
807-345-4673.