The holidays inspire us to give in many ways. Dr. Peter Foote and Dr. David Weis recently traveled to the island of Nevis to do just that: give of their expertise to people in need of vision care, especially cataract surgery.
Dr. David Weis saw patients both before and after cataract surgery and describes it this way: “Because Nevis is close to the equator, cataracts develop more rapidly than what we see in similarly-aged people in Milwaukee. These people are in quite considerable need, and we have the privilege and obligation to help them. When we are able to do something positive for them, the spectrum of emotions is very colorful. We get lots of smiles and hugs, but every now and then, someone grabs your hand and looks you in the eye and lets you know the impact on their life has been substantial.”
Dr. Foote doesn’t do it for the “thank you.” Having the ability to positively affect change in someone’s life almost immediately by restoring their vision is what gives him the satisfaction to keep going back. Dr. Foote and a team of eye care professionals have made an annual trip to Nevis for 11 years running.
Dr. Peter Foote was in surgery 10 hours a day while in Nevis. For the week he was there, he was able to operate on nearly 100 patients to restore their vision through cataract surgery.
The local people of Nevis have welcomed Dr. Foote and Dr. Weis into their community, and reconnecting with them each year is something the doctors and team enjoy and look forward to.
This holiday we wish you all the best from Milwaukee Eye Care!
by Jenny Imhoff, Surgical Coordinator
