COA member brings eye care to the "Land of the Mayans"

Dr. Arthur Low with translators and patient

Arthur Low, OD, recently visited Mexico with Lions In Sight, an organization "dedicated to bringing basic eye care and eyeglasses to a world of people in need." Dr. Low and doctors from across the US saw patients in the small town of Acanceh (pronounced Ah-Con-Kay).

Over the several days of the trip, the doctors served 554 patients and dispensed 450 pairs of glasses donated to the Lions. The harsh, dusty and hot environment caused patients to present with eye conditions the doctors don't often see in their own practices. They were seeing patients with advanced cataracts in their early 60s, versus the 70s to 80s range seen in the US.  They also saw several cases of pterygium covering the center of the pupil.  The locals call them carnosidad del ojo, or meat on the eye.  Seventy patients were referred for various eye pathology or needed difficult astigmatism correction. 

If you wish to donate eyeglasses to the Lions, visit their website to locate drop-off centers.

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