Health Projects – Ophthalmology
Dr. Donna Brown of Virginia Eye Institute and her team returned to St. Vincent for the 17th annual World Pediatric Project pediatric ophthalmology mission to its partner hospital Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. The ophthalmology team traveled February 9-16, 2019 and consisted of Dr. Brown, anesthesiologist Dr. Marvin Shapiro, OR nurse Lisa Sizemore and CRNA Mary O’Hanley. Dr. Brown has been providing medical services in the region for over 20 years and continues to strengthen relationships in the region, helping WPP to provide the best quality of care.
Over the years Dr. Brown has built strong working relationships with local ophthalmologists Dr. Cherrise Grant-Ledger and Dr. Orly Adams in St. Vincent, who triage and present appropriate cases for the mission week and with whom she works to provide follow up care the remainder of the year. Dr. Brown also collaborates closely with the local team throughout the surgical week, including WPP’s E.C. Medical Director Dr. Bea Datta.
50 consultations – 49 from St. Vincent and the Grenadines
21 surgeries completed
Most common conditions treated: strabismus, ptosis, congenital cataracts
An entire family of children, 4 year old Future (left), 3 year old Isis (center), and 1 year old Micah (right) have received services through Dr. Brown’s annual eye team. All three children were born with congenital cataracts, which can run in families. Both Isis and Future had to travel to Richmond, VA to receive cataract surgery with Dr. Donna Brown at Virginia Eye Institute.
This year, thanks to the addition of a specialized microscope, brother and sister plus the new addition to the family stayed in the comfort of their home-island for further follow-up treatment. Micah, the youngest sibling, received cataract surgery during the week without the time and expense of traveling to the US for surgery.
You would never know Khaliya had congenital strabismus, she is very lively at 18 months old. If not treated, over time her strabismus would severely hinder her vision and she would need to wear heavy glasses.
We’re happy to say that she underwent surgery and is doing quite well, mom is overjoyed with the outcome of her surgery.
Preston Jr. is a 5 year old Vincentian boy whose mom happens to be a recovery room nurse at Milton Cato Hospital. He was sitting in the recovery room waiting for her, when Dr. Brown noticed him and was told he had previously had an accident where he poked himself in the eye.
Dr. Brown evaluated him and noted a corneal laceration which she and the WPP team could repair on the next day’s surgery schedule. After a short period of healing, he will be fully back to normal vision
