VISION Houston Eye Associates Foundation Newsletter Fall...
Transcript of VISION Houston Eye Associates Foundation Newsletter Fall...
VISIONVISION Houston Eye Associates Foundation Newsletter
Fall 2010
Life Changing Surgery
This single father of four is grate-ful to be able to select the right
cereal box and school clothes for hischildren after undergoing a very rarecase of bilateral corneal perforations.James Larry Byrd, a Corpus Christinative and self-employed painter,went from full sight to darkness with-in 48 hours. During those dark hours,he was in severe pain and didn’tknow if he would see his children’sfaces again. An ophthalmologist in Corpus
Christi realized the severity of hisbilateral infection and immediatelyreferred him to a cornea specialist, Jeffrey Lanier, M.D., atHouston Eye Associates (HEA) in Houston. Dr. Lanier wasasked to see Mr. Byrd immediately; he and his medical staffwaited after-hours to examine Mr. Byrd’s eyes and begintreatment. “I watched Dr. Lanier examine Larry’s eyes,” states Mrs.
Claudette Morgan, Larry Byrd’s mother. She had beenadministering two different eye medications every 30 min-utes, day and night continuously fordays in an effort to control the infec-tion and save his eyes. “I heard every-thing Dr. Lanier was saying, but theone thing that drowned out every-thing else was that the damage was sosevere he wasn’t sure if the perfora-tions could heal enough for Larry toregain sight,” recalls Mrs. Morgan.“He told us to come back in themorning and he would check itagain.” Dr. Lanier was determined tosave Mr. Byrd’s eyes and restore his sight. The next morningDr. Lanier confirmed the perforations were starting to closeand fluid was filling the eye. “His smile had the confidenceand determination I needed,” said Mrs. Morgan. This isonly the second case Dr. Lanier has had with such a bilateral
condition in his 40 years of practice. Mr. Byrd was immediately scheduled forsurgery.Being self-employed, Mr. Byrd did not
have medical insurance or the financialresources for the surgery, cornea tissue,medications or other ancillary fees. Dr.Lanier referred him to the Houston EyeAssociates Foundation (HEAFoundation). With the assistance of hismother, Mr. Byrd completed the applica-tion, provided the necessary documentsand was approved. Mr. Byrd is slowly healing and was
recently fitted with glasses. After an adjust-ment period, he will be able to drive again. “Larry workshard to stay positive. I see emotional and physical improve-ment. It is hard not to cry as I watch him with his childrenreading, doing homework, or giving soccer tips. He talksabout projects he wants to begin as soon as he is released towork. I am grateful to Dr. Lanier and the HEA Foundationwho helped give my grandkids their father and my sonback,” Mrs. Morgan says. “I am amazed, relieved and over-whelmed with gratitude at the same time.”
H O U S T O N E Y E A S S O C I A T E S F O U N D A T I O N 1
It is hardnot to cry as I
watch him withhis children
reading, doinghomework, orgiving soccer
tips.
The HEA Foundation was created to help those infinancial hardship and who have nowhere else to
turn for their medical eye care needs. HEA physiciansand other partnering medical professionals donatetheir office time and surgical/specialty services, whilethe HEA Foundation pays for the surgical facility fees,vision-saving medications, and ancillary services.Without the support of the physicians’ donated officeand surgical time, the reduced, gratis and at-costrates provided by third-party medical professionals,the HEA Foundation would not be able to helprestore the sight of patients like Mr. Byrd. The HEAFoundation is fully funded by contributions fromgrateful patients, individuals, private foundationsand annual fundraising events.
N N N
2 H O U S T O N E Y E A S S O C I A T E S F O U N D A T I O N
It is my pleasure to introduce myself as the new President of the Houston Eye Associates Foundation
(HEA Foundation). I take on this new position knowing that I have your support in our efforts to help
others as we restore their independence by preserving and restoring their sight.
I am also proud to inform you of our new mission statement that better reflects how your financial gifts
are being utilized.
Houston Eye Associates Foundation is committed to preserving and restoring sight with comprehensive
eye care surgeries, medications and ancillary services for individuals in financial hardship; and
supporting education and research initiatives for the benefit of the community.
We continue to help those who have been denied, especially those categorized as the working poor. This
group is making just above the guidelines for public medical assistance yet still cannot afford to self-
pay their medical eye care needs and have nowhere else to turn. If HEA Foundation doesn’t assist them,
they run the risk of losing their sight, their independence, and ability to support themselves and their
families.
The HEA Foundation is special in that it goes beyond providing basic eye exams and eyeglasses, and
prides itself in providing surgical services to preserving and restoring sight.
When an adult or child requires further medical eye care services, this is where your financial support
makes a difference.
HEA Foundation’s partnering physicians and medical professionals donate all the time and services
required to assist the patient; however, without the financial contributions to pay for the surgery facility
fees, vision-saving medications, medically necessary contact lenses, prosthetics, laboratory testing and
other ancillary assistance required to restore vision, the mission goes unfulfilled.
We need your financial support as a compliment to the services donated by our physicians in order to
remove cataracts, treat glaucoma, repair detached retinas, perform strabismus procedures and corneal
transplants, and much more.
I want to thank my colleagues and their staff for their time and efforts caring for HEA Foundation
patients. I also want to thank you for supporting this organization as we continue preserving and
restoring the vision of hundreds of adults and children through the HEA Foundation.
Take a moment to visit www.houstoneye.com/foundation to learn more about the organization and how
you can volunteer or support our annual fundraisers, the 26th “Lookin’ Good” Shamrock Strut Fun Run
on Saturday, March 19, 2011 and the Eye Ball 2011 on Friday, February 11, 2011.
I look forward to growing and strengthening the HEA Foundation with your support.
Sincerely,
Mark C. Vital, M.D. - President
Sincerely,
Many thanks to thefollowing “Visionary”
physicians who donatetheir surgery and
office time to thoseless fortunate.
Without them, wecouldn’t do what we do!
GeneralLarry P. Alexander, M.D.
Belu Allam, M.D.William S. Banks III, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Prajay Dhir, M.D.M. Dolores Diaz, M.D.Steven H. Dunn, M.D.
Lindsey D. Harris, M.D.Kevin Y. Jong, M.D.
John M. Lim, M.D., F.A.C.S.Aaron M. Miller, M.D.Richard J. Ou, M.D.
Mitch M. Porias, D.O.William H. Quayle, M.D., M.S.
Hayne J. Sheffield, M.D.W. Colby Stewart, M.D.
Justus W, Thomas, M.D.Fiaz Zaman, M.D.
Stewart L. Zuckerbrod, M.D.
Cornea & ExternalDiseases
John D. Goosey, M.D.Jeffrey D. Lanier, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Alison Lin, M.D.Justus W, Thomas, M.D.
Mark C. Vital, M.D.
GlaucomaJeffrey B. Arnoult, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Prajay Dhir, M.D.Richard L. Kimbrough, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Fiaz Zaman, M.D.
OculoplasticsKenneth J. Hyde, M.D.Richard G. Urso, M.D.
Robert B. Wilkins, M.D., F.A.C.S.
PediatricCarlos A. Gonzales, M.D.
James Z. Lai, M.D.Malcolm L. Mazow, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Aaron M. Miller, M.D.Kathryn H. Musgrove, M.D.
Refractive/LASIKJohn D. Goosey, M.D.
Kevin Y. Jong, M.D.John M. Lim, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Richard J. Ou, M.D.William H. Quayle, M.D., M.S.
W. Colby Stewart, M.D.Richard G. Urso, M.D.
Fiaz Zaman, M.D.Stewart L. Zuckerbrod, M.D.
Retina Michael A. Bloome, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Lindsey D. Harris, M.D.Bailey L. Lee, M.D.
Paul C. Salmonsen, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Uveitis/ImmunologySusan E. Wittenberg, M.D.
OptometristsTia M. Budde, O.D.
Deanna Pena Garcia, O.D.Monica L. Gonzales, O.D.
Mark F. Klaff, O.D.Matthew Lahmeyer, O.D.
Michelle R. Levin, O.D.Michael A. Pickering, O.D.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor even
touched, but just felt in the heart.” – Helen Keller, 1891
A great golfing day was had by all during the 2ndAnnual Celebrity Golf Classic at Willow ForkCountry Club on Monday, October 11, 2010 inpartnership with Taping for the Blind. Raisingnearly $30,000, the event honored baseball
legend Bob Aspromonte, was co-hosted by Houston Astros announcersBill Brown and Jim Deshaies, and was chaired by Jerry Hanlon.
Golfers enjoyed an interactive golf tournament joined by many localsports celebrities – Alan Ashby, Ken Aspromonte, Enos Cabell, KevinEschenfelder, Jim Foley, Phil Garner, Paul Hamm, Kenny Hand, TerryPuhl, Dave Raymond, Robert Reid, Steve Sparks, and Jimmy Wynn.
The scramble golf event included unique activities relating to vision.Golfers were blind folded (Blind Drive) for their tee shot at one hole,and participated in a putting contest using eye disease simulationglasses at another hole. During the awards dinner, guests listened toBob Aspromonte’s inspiring story of his experience with a young nine-year-old baseball fan which he met through his charity work. The youngboy lost his vision when lightning struck the water fountain he wasdrinking from while at baseball practice. The youngster requested andinspired Bob to hit homeruns while he listened to the baseball gamesfrom the hospital. Many thanks to Mr. Aspromonte, the co-hosts andchair for all their time and efforts in making the event a success!
Thanks to all the generous individuals, companies and volunteers!
Gold Underwriter:MorganStanley Smith BarneySilver Underwriters: Crowe Horwath • Enterprise • Betty and Jerry Hanlon
Home Sight • Memorial Hermann Home Health • Strasburger & PriceBlind Drive Sponsor - Adidas
Putting Contest Sponsor - Trent and Janet BalkePar Three Hole-In-One Sponsor - Drs. James and Jenny Lai
Special thanks to: Adidas • Blue Bell Creameries • Boner Handcrafted Beer • CINTASCoca-Cola Bottling Co. • Demeris BBQ • Escalante’s Mexican Grille • Harry and David
James Coney Island • Dan White of Woodforest Golf Club
Thanks to all the following Hole Sponsors:BBVA Compass - Wealth Management • Brownie • Rick Canady, CEO, HEA*
Edwards Jones Investments/Cam and Don Heathcott • Lindsey Harris, M.D. - HEA*Garcia Hamilton & Associates • Gramercy Outpatient Surgery Center • Karen and Wade Jones
Jeffrey Day Lanier, M.D. - HEA* • Richard Ou, M.D. - HEA* • Ken and Edie Purgason • Ellin RoydsTriad Energy Corporation • Mark C. Vital, M.D. - HEA*
H O U S T O N E Y E A S S O C I A T E S F O U N D A T I O N 3
To learn more about
Taping for the Blind’s
services, please call
(713) 622-2767.
Golfing FORE Sight
HEA* - Houston Eye Associates
N N N Gifts Made froM May 1, 2010 to october 31, 2010 N N N
4 H O U S T O N E Y E A S S O C I A T E S F O U N D A T I O N
IN MEMORY OF VISIONARIES VISIONARIES
IN HONOR OF
VISIONARIES
Ms. Suseela AllamMs. Martha Louise Sharp BoyceMs. Michelle Loftin BronstropMs. Mary Lou CantonMr. and Mrs. L.G. Clinton, Jr.Mr. Baron FloresJens C. FraserMr. Luis GomezMrs. S. KamalammaMs. Carolyn KlaffDr. Thomas LesterS. Viswa MohanMr. John W. Payne, Jr.Mr. Bernard RosenblattMr. William RossMs. Jennie S. SchneiderDr. Robert H. Stewart
Dr. Jeffrey B. ArnoultMs. Jan CahillMs. Julie EcholsDr. Lindsey D. HarrisDr. James Z. LaiMs. Wanda V. MartinDr. Charles RussoMr. Jared Marcus SelbySammy SullivanDr. Justus Thomas and Kingwood Staff
Gifts $1000 & Up
Andrew Delaney FoundationBarrios TechnologyMr. and Mrs. Jerry H. DeutserThe Ellwood FoundationFridley Family FundGeorge & Mary Josephine Hamman FoundationMr. and Mrs. Gordon HollowayMobil Retiree Matching Gift ProgramMr. HB Young
Gifts $100 - $999
A-1 Lumber & Pallet (Donald Stephens)Mr. Trent A. Balke and Dr. Janet M. BalkeMr. Marvin BarishMs. Patsy BellMrs. Grace K. BivenKarl E. and Joan Melasky BlomquistMr. and Mrs. Larry BoisleyMr. Charles R. BrineyMs. Dorothy L. ClarkMs. Shirley J. DonehooMel and Margaret DoschMs. Jenny M. DunphyMr. Gus K. EiflerMs. Kim EmerickLouis and Maxine FantiniLarry and Nan ForneyMs. Rachel FrazierMs. Lucille H. GallmanDr. Deanna Pena GarciaHenry and Vera GarzaMs. Elizabeth J. Geren and
Ms. Ann G. LohmannRobert and Jacque GilliamMr. James M. GreenCarl D. and Faye B. GregoryCol. and Mrs. Edward M. HaleDr. Lindsey D. HarrisMr. Archibald HendersonHouston Astros Baseball ClubMs. Suellyn H. KanaMs. Reba KentMr. Oliver KlingerMr. Henry KohlerMs. Deborah A. Korkmas
Ms. Marina LabarrieMs. Mosell S. LawsonGeorge F.B. and P.G. Lehman, IIIJune and Tommy LottMartha and Kemp MaerMs. Lillian MannMrs. Ellen MarinoJack B. and Julia Wolf MazowWilliam C. and Ann K. McCullochMrs. Dorothy H. MeauxJeanne and Rudy MichalkMr. Sam Miller John and Christy MurchisonMr. and Mrs. John A. O'NealDr. and Mrs. Richard OuAndrew and Bobbye ParsonsMrs. John PayneKatie and Wayne PayneMr. Robert W. PhillipsMs. Adele H. PieperMs. Susie Quintanilla PomaresDr. and Mrs. William H. QuayleMr. Richard RankinMs. Joan C. ReadBrenda and Henry RojasMr. Ramon L. Schneider IIIDee and Sharon SchrinnerMs. Gail J. SerrellMr. and Mrs. Donald SimpsonMs. Annie Bell SmithMr. Steven Spears and Dr. Alison LinJames and Paula SuchmaBill and Dot ThompsonMs. Joeanne Dee ThompsonMr. Thomas A. Thompson, Jr.Dr. Mark C. Vital and Dr. Katherine DiaseMs. Mary V. WaitePatrick and Annette WalterSid and Jennifer WeaverMs. Elizabeth E. WeiMrs. Ben WhiteMr. and Mrs. Gayle H. WilkeMs. Georgiann O'Neill WilmotMr. Joseph C. WinklerRandi and Sam Yocum
Gifts $1 - $99Mrs. Rosemary AkersMs. Rita AlbertJames O. and Margery C. AmbroseMr. Robert A. AndersonMr. Eugen AnsasJohn R. and Longina M. BarreraArthur O. and Nancy H. BentchSylvia and Henry BertiMs. Nancy B. BowdenMs. Doris BradleyDr. and Mrs. W.R. BrinkleyRalph and Brenda BronstropMs. Betty BuieLarry and Jan CahillMs. Kathleen E. CaliandroMs. Grace CallawayMr. Noe CardenasRichard L. and Mary Ann CarsonMr. Joseph D. CashiolaMs. Leona CavalierTerry L. and Norma P. ChesserMs. Mary S. ChoroszyMs. Juanita R. ClarkMark F. and Mary Joanna CrawfordMs. Marilyn DanielMs. Karen DittoMs. Mary S. DixMs. Mary E. DoranLlewellyn O.and Sibbald A. DowdyMike and Jeanne DrosjackMs. Cynthia F. EdmondsonMs. Elizabeth D. Edwards (and Stefan)Maxine and Donna Jean ElliottMr. Jose L. FloresMr. John J. Fraser, Jr.Ms. Othelma B. FrazierManuel and Vera Garza
Mrs. Vera GarzaRev. and Mrs. Oscar GonzalesMs. Marjorie C. GoodallMs. Gretchen GraceMr. Richard E. GrantMs. Ruth D. GuestMs. Betty HarbourMark W. and Kim Russell HeathcoteMr. and Mrs. J.D. HenryLinda and Jay HersonMs. Willene P. HoffmanConstance and Alain HoldererMr. and Mrs. James H. HumlickMr. Kenneth JacobyMs. Helen KeithMr. Mark J. KellyLynette and Johnnie KuderMs. Sharon R. KuesterMs. Agueda Lara-SmallingMrs. Maybelle H. LatimerMr. John T. LeimonMr. I.A. LernerMs. Alee MackeyMr. Bock W. MahMs. Rita MainMr. John R. MartinMr. David S. MathewsMr. James R. McCabeMs. Jane S. McCutchenMs. Judy McDyerCruse and Sharon MelvinSarala MenenMs. Julie MiddlebrookMr. and Mrs. R.M. MorrisMary E. and Don MorrisonSydonia and Patricia MuscatMr. and Mrs. John P. MuthMr. Paul F. NielsenEdmund and Patrice O. NoelOscar Ray and Mary Ann O'NeillMs. Patricia O'TooleMs. Joann PalieriMr. D.W. PamplinMr. Walter ParnellMs. Kathleen E. PhillipsGrace Ann and Leonard PottsMr. J.E. Powell, Sr.Mr. Jose L. RamirezMr. and Mrs. James R. RamseyRandalls Good Neighbor ProgramB.K and Anu RaoMs. Sandra R. RawlsBob and Mary Sue ReederMs. Teresa ReynoldsPatricia J. and Royce RobinMs. Dorothy M. RoebenMs. Mary Jo RollinsMs. Bernadean A. RosenblattMr. Ronald RosenbushMs. Valerie A. RossJerry and JoAnna RudolphRalph S. and Helen H. SawyerGary W. and Laura SelfMr. Ellis E. Sheppard, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Alfred P. ShireMr. Robert SidesMs. Catherine D. SmithPhilip and Mary K. SolariW.A. and Linda SteinerCarole and James R. SydowRichard S. and Shirley A. ThomasFr. Anil Thomas, SVDMs. Sylvia TillesMs. Anh TranNola J. WeaverMs. Dorothy WhyteMs. Sharon WidenerMs. Olive WilliamsMr. James V. WitheyRoy and Joan WoodMs. Aileen I. YoungHerbert and Wendy Young
Calling all “Lookin’ Good”Shamrock Strut Runners!
Gather your running shoes and sign up to participate in the
26th Annual “Lookin’ Good” Shamrock Strut 5K/10K Fun
Run on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Houston Eye Associates
Gramercy location. The popular 10K run will take place
alongside the 5K run/walk, following the Kids K run.
Don’t miss out on the great food, entertainment and massages available onsite dur-
ing the ever popular post-race party. We are also proud to offer great top runner
awards and door prizes, so mark your calendar now!
Runners can begin registering for the race, December 8, 2010 at
www.houstoneye.com/foundation.
To learn about sponsorship or vendor opportunities, please call (713) 558-8740 or
email [email protected].
We look forward to Seein’ you at the race!
Don’t miss a night of visual Delights!
Houston Eye AssociatesFoundation and PreventBlindness Texas are proud toannounce the 2nd annual EyeBall 2011 taking place onFriday, February 11, 2011 atthe Omni Houston Hotel.
Chairman Franelle Rogers willorchestrate a special eveningthat will be eye-catching andmemorable as the event honors Lynn Wyatt and RobertSakowitz in memory of theirmother, Ann B. Sakowitz,
a generous supporter of organizations committed torestoring sight. We invite youto participate in this fabulousevening and join in our effortsof supporting two local n o n - p r o f i t organizations committed to helping othersregain their vision.
To l e a r n m or e a b ou t t hee v en t , p l e a se c on t a c tC l a u d i a M c C a b e a t( 7 1 3 ) 5 5 8 - 8 7 4 0 o [email protected].
The Houston Eye Associates (HEA) Foundation would like to thank Jennifer Sullivan for selecting the HEAFoundation as her charity of choice as she recently completed the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon inhonor of her son Sammy. While on a visit with Dr. Carlos Gonzales, her son’s pediatric ophthalmologist,Jennifer learned about Dr. Gonzales’ involvement with the HEA Foundation and all the ophthalmology sur-geries he and his Houston Eye Associates colleagues donate to those less fortunate. Many thanks to allthe family and friends who are supporting HEA Foundation in honor of Sammy.
H O U S T O N E Y E A S S O C I A T E S F O U N D A T I O N 5
� $25 � $50 � $100 � $250 � $500 � $1000 � $5000
� Other_____________
� Check Enclosed (payable to Houston Eye Associates Foundation)
� Visa � MasterCard � AMEX � Discover
Card Number Exp. Date
Name on card
Signature
� My company has a matching gift program and I am enclosing the appropriatecompleted form.
� Please send me information on planned giving.
� I wish to remain anonymous.
Thank You for Becoming a Visionary!
Address:_____________________________________________
City:______________________State: _____ZIP:____________
Phone: (H)___________________(W)______________________
Cell:________________ Email:___________________________
HEA Physician:________________________________________
� In Honor of � In Memory of_____________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________
YES, I WANT TO GIVE THE GIFT OF S IGHT!
Name(s) for Recognition
Tax deductible to the
extent allowed by law
Please return this slip in the enclosed envelope.
Fall 2010
$ 65 - One dose of a vision saving compounding medication
$ 240 - One pair of medically necessary specialty lenses
$ 300 - Foundation cost for a prosthetic eye
$ 955 - Foundation cost for a cataract removal surgery
$ 1000 - Foundation cost for glaucoma surgery
$ 1200 - Foundation cost for a corneal or strabismus surgery
$ 1500 - Foundation cost for retinal detachment surgery
$ 2500 - Foundation cost for corneal transplant tissue
* Surgery, medications, tissue & lenses costs may vary based on patients’ needs
YOUR DONATION WILL HELP BUY:
Randalls Good Neighbor ProgramRandalls will donate portions of their “donation dollars”
to various non-profit organizations from their GoodNeighbor Program. We invite you to visit any RandallsStore Courtesy Booth to link your Remarkable Card to5018, benefitting Houston Eye Associates Foundation.
Thank you to those who have already linked their Randalls GoodNeighbor Program Card to benefit the Houston Eye Associates Foundation.Each year the Foundation receives a contribution from the program.
The more cards linked to 5018,the more patients HEA Foundation can serve!
5018
You can help ensure the Houston Eye Associates
Foundation will continue providing the gift of vision
for many years to come through a planned charitable
gift. Following are ways you can make a difference:
1) Name Houston Eye Associates Foundation in your will.
2) Set up a charitable remainder or lead trust.
3) Donate your stocks.
4) Name Houston Eye Associates Foundation as a beneficiary of your life insurance.
For more information on planned giving contact Claudia McCabe
at (713) 558-8740.
Invest in the Future
“Houston Eye Associates Foundation is
grateful to Barrios Technology for their
generous $1,000 grant. 30 local non-profit
organizations were selected in celebration
of Barrios Technology’s 30th anniversary.
Many thanks to Scott MacKerron for
nominating Houston Eye Associates
Foundation. Thank you!”
6 H O U S T O N E Y E A S S O C I A T E S F O U N D A T I O N
The Houston Eye Associates Foundation is proud towelcome the following new Board Members:
Janet Balke, PhD, Deanna Pena Garcia, O.D.,Carlos A. Gonzales, M.D., Justus W. Thomas, M.D.
and Susan E. Wittenberg, M.D.
H O U S T O N E Y E A S S O C I A T E S F O U N D A T I O N 7
o
r
n
e
r
Sharp, severe eye pain with redness, tearing, light sensitivity, and a
foreign body sensation can occur when the ocular surface is scratched.
This is a common occurrence and is usually due to a corneal abrasion.
The cornea is the clear, dome-like window on the front surface of the
eye; it is the structure on which contact lenses rest. The epithelium is a
thin carpet-like layer of cells that cover the cornea. These cells protect
the deeper layers of the cornea against infection and help to provide a
smooth ocular surface to focus light onto the retina. When these cells are
traumatized, the nerve endings that run in this layer are exposed, result-
ing in knife-like pain. This pain is similar to the pain experienced by the
exposed nerve endings in a tooth cavity.
If you experience ocular trauma with pain, or if you feel that there is
something in your eye that you cannot seem to get out, don’t delay and
visit an ophthalmologist immediately. They will examine the eye and
initiate antibiotic drops to prevent infection, if required. Negligence of
this problem could lead to more serious problems such as a potentially
sight-threatening corneal ulcer. Unfortunately, the only true cure for the
pain is complete healing of the abrasion, usually taking 24 to 48 hours.
Since prevention is the best medicine, try to avoid corneal abrasions by
properly using contact lenses and by wearing protective
eyewear anytime you are using machinery, striking metal
on metal (i.e., hammering), or working outdoors.
Med iCal
Corneal
Abrasions
To request medical eye care assistance through theHouston Eye Associates Foundation, you can download
the application directly fromwww.houstoneye.com/foundation
or call (713) 558-8740for an English or Spanish application.
A healthy cornea. Corneal abrasion with a
potential sight-threatening ulcer.
A post-operative cornea
with sutures.
Board of Trustees
Mark C. Vital, M.D., PresidentDeanna Pena Garcia, O.D.Carlos A. Gonzales, M.D.Lindsey D. Harris, M.D.Richard J. Ou, M.D.
William H. Quayle, M.D.Justus W. Thomas, M.D.Robert B. Wilkins, M.D.
Susan B. Wittenberg, M.D.
Board of Directors
2855 Gramercy Street
Houston, Texas 77025
Non-profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDHouston, TexasPermit No. 4255
Executive Director:Claudia McCabe
Janet Balke, PhD.Genie Byrd
Rosanette S. CullenJerry Deutser
Carol HollowayMarc N. Longo, M.D.Rebecca ParsonsSteven G. SpearsS. Conrad Weil, Jr.Lanier Whilden
Mission StatementHouston Eye Associates Foundation is committed to preserving and restoring sight with
comprehensive eye care surgeries, medications, and ancillary services for individuals in financial hardship; and supporting education and research initiatives for the benefit of the community.
Physicians of Houston Eye Associates and other partnering medical professionals donate their officetime and surgical skills and Houston Eye Associates Foundation pays for hospital and surgical facility
fees, vision-saving medications, medically necessary lenses, eye glasses, cornea tissue, laboratory services, prosthetics and other ancillary services.
A Special Thank YouWithout the support from grateful patients, generous individuals, private foundations and annualfundraising events, we would not be able to provide comprehensive medical eye care to those less fortunate. Thank you for allowing us to help others through the HEA Foundation.
Sincerely, The Houston Eye Associates Physicians
8 H O U S T O N E Y E A S S O C I A T E S F O U N D A T I O N
“You don’t realize the blessing of your eyes until youalmost lose your eyesight,” states HEAF patient A. Payne.