THE WEEKLY'S READERS RESPOND: Donations support eye project in Ukraine (11/21/99)

THE WEEKLY'S READERS RESPOND: Donations support eye project in Ukraine

by Dr. William Selezinka

SAN DIEGO - In December 1998, an appeal was made to readers of The Ukrainian Weekly for donations to purchase a diode laser for treating potentially blinding diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal tears. This laser was to be used in the Ivano-Frankivsk City Eye Hospital. These donations to the Ukrainian Eye Project were matched by a grant from the Lions Clubs International Foundation so that a laser, an ocutome (vitrector), and a cryo machine were purchased to render full service for retinal abnormalities.

Some supplies, delicate eye instruments, special laser lenses, slit lamps (for mounting lasers), syringes, needles, indictable medications, gloves, shoe covers, caps, transformers, and sterilizers were also purchased.

Most sincere thanks go out to all who contributed to make this project a success.

We were also able to get donations of generous amounts of supplies such as intraocular lenses, various eye drops, sutures, local anesthetics and antibiotics. Major contributors were Alcon, Allergan, Bausch & Lomb, Visitec, Storz, American Regent, Ciba, Abbot, Mira, Mentor, Eli Lilly, Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson), Vaneylab, Surgin, Eagle Lab and Pharmacia.

A Ukrainian ophthalmologist, Dr. Oksana Kindrat, came to America to become familiar with the laser. She spent five weeks training at UCSD and five days in San Francisco with Dr. Andrew Iwach who specializes in glaucoma laser procedures.

Eleven physicians from the UCSD, the University of Michigan and St. Louis University rotated to Ukraine for seven to 10 days each, beginning in early July and continuing through September. The physicians were augmented by two operating room nurses/technicians. All except the two operating room personnel traveled at their own expense.

The number of major eye surgeries (congenital cataracts, strabismus, ptosis, dacryocystorhinostomies, decompressions) performed was 111, and 60 laser procedures were done. The posterior vitrector was used in severely diabetic patients, who barely saw light, to improve vision. Of interest were three amniotic membrane tissue grafts to cover the eye after removal of severe lye burn scars. We were fortunate the timing was such that the obstetrics department was able to deliver fresh post-delivery tissue. An eight month-old child with a congenital cataract was also operated on.

This writer remained in Ivano-Frankivsk over the entire nine weeks of the mission and found time to screen Chornobyl victims (children) who were suffering from thyroid diseases, including cancer, and leukemia in remission, and arranged for their travel to Ireland. Benefactors from San Diego (Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Currier) and the Chornobyl Children Irish Aid Organization (David Nolan) funded the trip. Special air fares from Ukrainian airlines were negotiated by Harold Bochonko. Mr. Nolan arranged special fares with Aer Lingus. This writer and Mr. Bochonko spent a week in Ireland with the children. Dr. Angela Nikoliuk was the chaperone and also served as translator for the entire two weeks the children were in Ireland. The children were re-evaluated and had various analyses. Medications for an entire year were provided by the Irish organization.

This successful mission has encouraged this writer to attack the glaucoma problem in Ukraine. There is a need for a special automated visual field analyzer for approximately $24,000. Additional matching funds will be sought from the Lions Clubs International Foundation.

Donations can be made to the California Association to Aid Ukraine (CAAU), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, located at 4315 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029.

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