Center For Sight has completed its annual Mission Cataract event at its Sarasota and Naples surgery centers. Cataract surgeons Dr. David Shoemaker, Dr. William Soscia, Dr. Joshua Kim, Dr. Joaquin De Rojas, Dr. Priya Mathews, Dr. Jon Berlie and Dr. George Brinning performed free life-changing cataract surgeries in the Sarasota and Naples AAAHC-accredited surgery centers. The event is funded by the Center For Sight Foundation and Operation Sight to help individuals in need receive vision correcting care, regardless of their ability to pay. The practice has been offering this service to uninsured patients through Mission Cataract for over 30 years. Since its inception, the program has helped thousands of patients regain their sight, at no cost. The entire Center For Sight team works together to process applications, diagnose patients, and perform surgeries at the annual Mission Cataract event. Stories of This Year’s Mission Cataract Recipients: Patient Jamori Fox, 26, traveled from Canton, GA to have surgery in Sarasota. At only 26 years old, he suffered from debilitating cataracts, causing him to lose his job as a driver. Speaking of Mission Cataract, he mentions, “I’m trying not to get emotional, but I truly appreciate what you’re doing for people who don’t have the income. The world is hard out here. I’m grateful for what you do for those less fortunate.” Heather Gordan, 55, has one personal hobby she’s greatly missed due to her failing vision – reading. She plans to make up for lost time now that she can see clearly again. A friend directed her to Center For Sight a couple years ago, and this year she was eligible for the program. “I am a server and don’t have insurance,” she said, “It’s been tough. This place has been a blessing.” For Cheryl Von Deck, 64, her poor eyesight has affected those around her as well. She shared, “I am a caregiver for someone who cannot drive. I can’t drive either and we’ve had to miss appointments. I can’t wait to be able to see again, I am so excited.” Partnerships to Ensure Continuation of Mission Cataract: To ensure ongoing funding for the annual Mission Cataract program, Shoemaker formed the Center For Sight Foundation, a donor-advised fund of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Every dollar received is used to purchase medications, surgical supplies, protective post-operative glasses, and the intraocular lenses used during surgery. In addition, Center For Sight has partnered with Operation Sight, a national program through the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation in order to expand its reach nationwide. The goal of Operation Sight is to build a network of volunteer organizations that provide care to Americans unable to access or afford cataract surgery. Not only do the Center For Sight surgeons and Center For Sight Foundation donors participate in providing this service, but the laser technology company, LENSAR, Inc., donated the use of its advanced LENSAR laser system to be used on each case.