CATARACT SURGERIES WILL BE DONATED

Free cataract surgery will be provided to area residents who cannot afford the treatment under a private, nationwide program.

Mission Cataract, USA was launched in 1991 by Dr. Frederick Richburg of Fresno, Calif. To date, there are more than 193 physicians in 34 states who are participating in the program.

In this region Wal-Mart vision centers in Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Marion, Ill., and Paducah, Ky., will provide free screenings.

"Anybody we can help at this time, this is just a plus," said Alan Branson, an optometrist with the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Cape Girardeau.

"This is something that I feel I can do to help people who need the help," said Branson, who annually participates in mission trips to aid needy people. "It's neat to see somebody's life change," he said.

Under the cataract program, those who can pay will be referred to surgeons of their choice. Those who cannot afford such treatment will be able to obtain the eye surgery free from Dr. Charles H. Cozean of Cape Girardeau.

The surgery will be performed at Doctors' Park Surgery Inc., which is making available its facility at no charge. Surgical supplies will be donated by Storz Ophthalmics of St. Louis.

Branson said cataract problems primarily affect senior citizens.

Screening at the Cape Girardeau Wal-Mart Supercenter will be conducted Monday. "They need to call for an appointment because chances are it will fill up quickly," he said.

To schedule a screening, call 335-2787 in Cape Girardeau; 472-3655 in Sikeston; (618) 997-1081 in Marion; and (502) 444-6311 in Paducah.

Cozean said the Storz company asked him to participate in the program. "I do a lot of clinical research for that company. They would like to get the thing going nationwide," he explained.

Cozean said he doesn't know how many eligible people will seek the free cataract surgery.

"We are thinking in terms of mid-June to get this thing (surgery) going," he said.

It's anticipated that the program would be offered here once a year, Cozean said.

Nationally, the program is just getting off the ground.

"I think that this is very, very new to the country," said Ron Wittmer, president of Doctors' Park Surgery Inc. "I think it is a good service to the community," he said.

"The other thing that I like about it is that it is a volunteer thing, and with all the talk of high health care costs and that, it is going to show that there are some real sincere, dedicated people in the health profession who are willing to help people," said Wittmer.