March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 54 F

Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center to perform 40 free cataract surgeries in Operation Sight

Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center is proud to participate again this year in the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation’s Operation Sight program.

On October 23rd and 24th, Dr. Maria Scott and Dr. Heather Nesti will be donating 40 cataract surgeries to area patients who lack private insurance and are ineligible for government care. The need for Cataract surgery is not just an issue in developing countries, but many of our own neighbors in the community are uninsured, underinsured and live in major financial hardship which makes cataract surgery cost prohibitive. These individuals rely on others to navigate their daily activities and if left untreated, they risk losing their vision.

“Participating in Operation Sight last year was just as much of a gift for our staff, as it was a life changing experience for our patients. It was incredibly rewarding to witness the transformation of our patients, as they regained their vision after cataract surgery. We are grateful to be able to offer this service again to our community.” said Dr. Maria Scott, Founder, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon, Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center.

Vision loss from a cataract has tremendous impact on those living in poverty. The economic and cultural stigmas associated with poor vision greatly limits employment and educational opportunities. And when family members of the visually impaired become caretakers, their economic future is also jeopardized. 

“By participating in Operation Sight and offering free cataract surgery to those in extreme financial hardship, we are preventing vision loss for the individual, which has a huge ripple effect on our community,” said Dr. Heather Nesti, Glaucoma and Cataract Surgeon, Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center.

This is a community effort and we are proud to have worked with so many organizations and businesses last year to make this program available. Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Community Health Clinics, Anesthesia Company, LLC, and Dr. Eric Weichel played an integral role in Operation Sight last year and we are grateful to have their support and participation in Operation Sight again this year. Additionally, we engaged Giolitti’s who offered complimentary lunch after surgery to our Operation Sight patients. Einstein Bagels and Eggcellence provided breakfast for our Operation Sight patients, as well as our other patients at the one-day post-operative visits.

To reach the Spanish-speaking population, we are working closely with Maria Casasco, Hispanic/Latino Liaison to County Executive Steven R. Schuh, and Carlos Camino, Health Educator for AAC Department of Health. Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center has now cultivated an entire team of bilingual staff from our call center to front desk to technicians and doctor to communicate with our patients in their first language of Spanish. Surgery can be overwhelming and offering our patients the opportunity to communicate in their native language is invaluable to ensure a smooth, comfortable experience for our patients.

With a reputation for excellence, Dr. Maria Scott and Dr. Heather Nesti are two of the most respected cataract surgeons in our area. Dedicated to providing the most advanced, proven technology to yield the best possible outcomes, Drs. Scott and Nesti have been the trusted choice of countless patients and medical professionals in our community. Their passion to improve each patient’s quality of life is evident throughout every aspect of the practice. Working in state-of-the-art facilities with a private, Medicare-certified surgical facility, provides the ideal setting and convenience for their surgical patients.

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