Refractive Surgeons Robert K. Maloney and Daniel Durrie have teamed up to help launch a national program, called Focus on Independence, in which eye surgeons provide LASIK or vision correction surgery at no charge to quadriplegics. This program was recently highlighted in New Mobility, a publication for the physically disabled.
Click here to see the new mobility article.
According to Dr. Maloney, "For many people glasses are a real nuisance, but to quadriplegics glasses are an actual disability. With the Focus On Independence program, we aim to make day-to-day life a little bit easier for these patients."
The Focus On Independence program is intended for patients over the age of 18, who have suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury and have lost the use of their hands and/or arms, making it difficult or impossible to put on or take off their glasses without assistance.
While glasses are an inconvenience for most people they can be particularly limiting for quadriplegic patients. If they go from a cold environment indoors their glasses can fog up and they are unable to clean them. If they hit a bump in their wheelchair and their glasses slip down their nose they are unable to push them up. If they need reading glasses they are unable to put them on and off for close work.
LASIK surgeons from around the country are donating their time and services to help quadriplegics see without the use of glasses or contacts. If you are a quadriplegic, and want more information, e-mail or call us with your name, type of injury and the date of your injury. We will then begin to evaluate your case to see if you are a good vision correction candidate.
If you’re a refractive surgeon and want to participate in the Focus on Independence Program, click on our Information for Surgeons section for more details on how to help.
Our goal is to do our best to find an experienced LASIK surgeon within 100 miles to do LASIK or vision correction surgery free of charge for quadriplegic patients.
For more information, call the Maloney Vision Institute 877-EYESIGHT or e-mail us at focus@maloneyvision.com
Click here to read Criteria for Eligibility
Testimonials:
“Glasses became a problem. They’d fall off, and I couldn’t pick them up. Focus on Independence has truly made me more of an independent person again.”
- Barry Elbasani, first Focus on Independence patient
Hello Dr. Robert Maloney,
I hope you can remember me, my name is Erik Sorto (C-3 quadriplegic complete) and a proud member of your Independence program. I think I was the second recipient to receive the gift from your Foundation, I hope that puts a face to the name.
I'm writing to express my gradetue once again! My life has a greater purpose now and I owe it in part to you and your wonderful staff. You see right before my surgery I ws thinking of quitting college for many different embarrasing reasons. For example, I would sit in the back of my class do to my imprisonment of my disability and poor vision, but now you can find me in the front, with a self sense of pride that only developed surgery. Always, taking in consideration my classmates' line of vision do to my wheelchair, but the one situation that broke my spirit was when i had my class finals and i had to force myself to wear my reading glasses. Well that day it was raining and when I left from one class to get to the other one, my glasses were covered with rain drops and hanging low to my nose and obviously I had no way to fixing my dilemma. Right there and then i wanted to quit and stop attending school.
What I'm trying to express is that your surgery has not only given me back my vision, but it has helped me regain a sense of pride. It has taken away such negative thoughts like depression and despair. Iam now a proud member of my community, about to graduate in May, 2011 from Cal State Northridge, receiving a Bachelors degree in Sociology in Criminal Justice. Iam even able to sustain a part time job at Bunch Middle School on Fridays and volunteer with Knowbarriers on Saturdays by helping people out with new disabilities move forward with their lives. Please thank your staff for me and a special thanks to you doctor. Take care and best wishes.
Sincerely,
Erik Sorto
It has been a month since Dr. Robert Maloney performed my PRK LASIK procedure. What a tremendous impact it has made in the quality of my life. I have returned to my work as an academic counselor and instructor. My ability to read fine print has increased my productivity and makes work much more enjoyable. I don’t get so tired!
Of course, there are numerous other benefits as well. I notice many small things that I missed before. I’m also able to read the fine print on checks, prescriptions, and directions. This surgery has made living with a disability more manageable.
Thank you for your support.
Tisa Casas
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