Seeing 2010 in New Light on Orlando Medical News

Seeing 2010 in New Light

By: LYNNE JETER

Dr. Auerbach examining Winnie Landry at a follow-up appointment

Local Ophthalmologist Gifts Sight for Uninsured Cataract Patients

ORLANDO—Last year, David B. Auerbach, DO, found himself shaking his head far too often, saddened by the steady supply of stories encapsulating the national economy’s downward spiral.

“Whether you’re a physician or not, we’re all seeing and feeling the impact of our current economy,” said Auerbach, who joined Eye Physicians of Central Florida in 2001, and specializes in general ophthalmology, refractive small-incision cataract surgery, neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery. “Every day, whether I’m reading a newspaper, watching the news, listening to patients and even my colleagues and staff, one has to realize people are struggling to meet their most basic needs, including proper healthcare. I was especially struck by stories I’d hear of people suffering vision loss from cataracts, yet they were unable to pay for the surgery because they were too young for Medicare and lacked the means to pay for adequate health insurance. I thought, I can make a difference right here in my community.”

Peer Support

Staff physicians at Eye Physicians of Central Florida—Robert Gold, MD, FAAP; Louis Blumenfeld, MD, FAAP; Victor Thomas, MD; Jamie Ikeda, MD; optometric physician Larry Lewis, OD; and the newest member, Lynda Kleiman, MD, an ophthalmologist and cornea specialist who joined the practice in October—whole-heartedly supported David Auerbach’s Gift of Sight program.

Established in 1981, Eye Physicians of Central Florida, a division of Florida Pediatric Associates LLP, specializes in pediatric ophthalmology, adult eye muscle disorders, cataract and laser surgery, neuro-ophthalmology, cornea and external disease, and oculoplastic, reconstructive and cosmetic eyelid surgery. The practice has offices in Longwood, Orlando and Winter Park.

After reading about a Texas surgeon who performed free cataract surgeries every November, Auerbach had an idea. To make Thanksgiving more meaningful for a few Orlando-area residents suffering needlessly from cataract-related vision loss, he would initiate the Gift of Sight program and perform the surgeries.Even though other physiciansthroughout Central Florida have donated surgeries for various hardship cases, this could mark the first planned, physician-initiated program of its type in the area specifically addressing the needs of cataract patients.

“I initially became interested in ophthalmology as a child,” said Auerbach. “My father had an eye injury when he was a child, and had to visit an ophthalmologist regularly. I used to accompany him to his visits and was absolutely amazed by all the things they were able to do to improve his quality of life. As I got older, I also realized ophthalmology had all the aspects of medicine that I liked most. I see patients of all ages. I’m able to practice medicine and perform surgery. And I find it so rewarding when I can help restore or improve someone’s sight.”

With a plan in place and an initial goal of treating 10 needy patients, Auerbach reached out to the local medical community.

“As I thought through Gift of Sight, I decided to discuss the program with our community optometrists who see many of the patients that they then refer to us for surgery,” he said. “We sent them a letter back in May and asked them to make referrals of patients they thought could be candidates. We then set up appointments for those patients, at no charge, to see if they met the criteria.”

Suitable candidates had to be screened and referred by an optometrist, have poor vision because of the cataracts (20/100 to 20/200 in both eyes), and lack health insurance.

Auerbach secured commitments from the Lake Mary Surgery Center, Alcon (lens), anesthesiologist David Nussear, MD, scrub nurses, and products and services from the practice’s optical shop.

“I’d hoped to do 10 … but found four who needed help,” said Auerbach.

Among the lucky few: 63-year-old Longwood resident Winnie Landry, a recent breast cancer survivor whose cataract had grown worse during the course of breast cancer treatment. Because she was unable to do anything about it until she completed her treatments, Landry was reduced to very little vision from her left eye and could no longer drive an automobile or use a computer. Because of her cancer, she no longer has medical insurance and is also struggling with staggering medical bills so she lacked the funds to pay for the cataract surgery that could restore her sight.

When she learned that she would benefit from Auerbach’s 2009 Gift of Sight Program, Landry was grateful and excited.

“I can’t see anything except light and figures out of my left eye right now and am even afraid to walk anywhere alone because I lack depth perception,” she said before the Nov. 17 surgery. “I look forward to getting back to my life.”

Auerbach also performed surgery on a 44-year-old woman and two men–ages 41 and 58.

“All were struggling both with their vision and financially,” he said. “The surgeries went great, and they were all so gracious and thankful.”

Auerbach was also appreciative of “my team, if you will, who have supported me in this Gift of Sight initiative … with a willing heart and generosity,” he said.

He’s already planning the 2010 program.

Physician Bio

Certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology, David B. Auerbach, DO, earned a medical degree from the State University of New York at Stonybrook, completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and his medical internship at Mount Clemens General Hospital before completing fellowships in oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at The Pavilions of Voorhees in New Jersey and in neuro-ophthalmology at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.

“Since the program was new (in 2009), the main challenge was getting the word out to the optometrists in order to have them refer patients,” said Auerbach. “Now that we’ve completed the first year’s program and received some local media coverage of it, I think it’ll be much easier to encourage additional optometrists’ involvement and patient referrals next year.”

Completing the first Gift of Sight program gave Auerbach pause at the family table during the 2009 holiday season.

“Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday,” he said. “We make a big deal of how thankful our family is for good health and all that comes to us while living in Central Florida. Now I’m really excited that I’m able to share my thankfulness with others and truly make a difference in their quality of life during these tough times.”