Al Ludvigsen and Steve Konieczki from SurgicalOne started working with the World Cataract Foundation recently and have donated a refurbished Leica surgical microscope in Haiti. We are pleased to see that the microscope made its way to Dr. Maingrette at Grace Children’s Hospital.
The surgical microscope is the Leica WILD M690, a real workhorse ophthalmology microscope that will be a productive surgical instrument for many years. Dr. Maingrette performs cataract surgery and other vital ophthalmic procedures for a variety of pediatric patients in Port-au-Prince. We have seen refurbished microscopes like this give real-world service of over 30 years.
The World Cataract Foundation is a natural fit for our corporate giving program. Their focus on eliminating cataract blindness goes hand in hand with SurgicalOne’s philanthropic mission, to utilize our excess and trade-in Leica microscopes (that we receive from our selling activities in the USA). This is a great budding partnership for improved clinical outcomes in under-served, or impoverished countries and communities.
My deep gratitude to SurgicalOne for the Leica surgical microscope.
Dr. Maingrette, Ophthalmologist, Grace Children’s Hospital
About the World Cataract Foundation
The World Cataract Foundation was first formed in 1978 as the result of a challenge issued at the International Intraocular Implant Club (IIIC) for the production of inexpensive, high quality intraocular lenses for use around the world in the cure of cataract blindness.
Dr. Jerre M. Freeman accepted this challenge and began to develop a universal lens and to facilitate the manufacture of intraocular lenses. A plant was opened in Deli, India which produces IOLs which sell for less than $15. Manufacturing in other nations has followed making the challenge a reality.
As it became apparent that the production of lenses played just a part in the challenge of eliminating cataract blindness, the WCF expanded its mission and programs. Volunteer surgery teams of ophthalmologists and support personnel were formed to provide free cataract surgery for the impoverished in developing countries. To date the WCF has sent teams to more than twenty-five countries, including two trips a year to Ometepec, Mexico. These teams have given the gift of sight to thousands.
Through the WCF Medical Personnel Exchange Program, the Foundation sponsors doctors fromdeveloping parts of the world for advanced ophthalmological training at the Memphis Eye andCataract Associates (MECA) and University of Tennessee, Hamilton Eye Institute.The WCF developed a special partnership with China because of the high incidence of cataractblindness in that nation. This partnership has resulted in advanced training both in the UnitedStates and China, and research advancements in the treatment of blindness.
About Leica Microsystems
Leica Microsystems is a world leader in microscopes and scientific instruments. Its close cooperation with the scientific community is the key to Leica Microsystems’ tradition of innovation, which draws on users’ ideas and creates solutions tailored to their requirements. Leica Microsystems has six manufacturing facilities in five countries, with sales and service organizations in 20 countries. The company is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany. leica-microsystems.com
