UB Nurse Anesthetists to Co-Sponsor "Free Cataract Surgery Day"

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Faculty from the Nurse Anesthesia Program at the University at Buffalo will join with ophthalmologists from Eye Health Associates of Western New York to provide free cataract surgery to Western New Yorkers who need the operation but aren't covered by insurance.

"Free Cataract Surgery Day" will be held on Saturday, May 3, in the Eye Health Associates facility at 170 Maple Road, Williamsville. Surgery will be performed in the facility's free-standing, ambulatory surgery center by Kenneth Anthone, M.D., UB clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology, and Andrew Siedlecki, M.D.

Anesthesia care will be donated by Michael Fallacaro, D.N.S., and Thomas Obst, clinical assistant professors in the UB School of Nursing and co-directors of its Nurse Anesthesia Program, and Edward McHugh, clinical instructor in the nursing school.

Eye Health Associates serves as the UB clinical training site for students in the Nurse Anesthesia Program.

Screening of potential patients will take place from 1-5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, and Friday, May 2.

The free surgery is part of a national effort involving 1,500 physicians around the U.S to serve the uninsured. The local volunteers hope to perform 12 cataract surgeries this year, their second in the program. Last year they operated on eight patients. The free service includes the standard 90-day follow-up period.

Anyone interested in being screened for the free surgery should call 634-4050.