East Hanover, New Jersey (PressExposure) October 20, 2009 -- On November 25, 2009, Cary M. Silverman, M.D., Medical Director of EyeCare 20/20 in East Hanover, will perform FREE cataract surgery for those that are uninsured and can't afford to pay for the procedure during Vision Harvest 2009 at the River Drive Surgery and Laser Center of Elmwood Park, New Jersey. In 2008, the United Status Census Bureau reported, that there is an estimated 46.3 million Americans without health insurance. "With so much emphasis in the news discussing the current recession and those Americans who have been affected by unemployment and loss of health insurance, my colleagues and I believe it is the perfect time to give back to our community. We all agree no one should go without needed cataract surgery due to finances," said East Hanover ophthalmologist, Cary M. Silverman, M.D. who organized the event. "We want to make sure that any vision impaired person in New Jersey without insurance or financial resources learns about this remarkable program."
Over the next few weeks, Cary M. Silverman, M.D. will be evaluating prospective cataract patients in his East Hanover office and scheduling them for their free procedure. Eligible patients will have all eye examinations, testing, medications, and surgery provided to them free of charge.
If you know someone who is visually impaired and has financial need or if you would like more information about Vision Harvest 2009, please contact EyeCare 20/20 at 973-560-1500.
Cataracts are a progressive condition that cause the eye's lens to become cloudy, and eventually opaque leading to a progressive dimming of your vision. The exact cause of cataracts is unclear, but they occur in everyone as they age. Cataracts may be the result of a lifetime of exposure to ultraviolet rays, and other factors such as cigarette smoking, diet, and alcohol consumption. Cataracts can also occur at any age as a result of other causes such as eye injury, exposure to toxic substances or radiation, certain medications or as a result of other diseases such as diabetes.
Cataract surgery entails the removal of the clouded lens and its replacement with an artificial lens implant. Using a process called phacoemulsification, Dr. Silverman is able to effectively treat cataracts and restore clear vision.