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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, March 26, 2015 | 40 Local optometrist delivers eye care to hundreds in Mexico by Abigail Cukier Special to the Beaver Travel "Connected to your Community" An Oakville optometrist recently returned from delivering desperatelyneeded eye care to hundreds of patients in Mexico. And because the need is so great, he plans to continue taking similar trips each year. Dr. Sanjay Agarwal of Great Lakes Optometry led a mission last month to Santiago Papasquiaro in the state of Durango in Mexico. Fourteen secondand third-year students from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry volunteered their time to donate free eye care to residents there. Agarwal's 12-year-old nephew Anil Poisson also volunteered on the trip. Volunteers saw 1,200 patients in four-and-a- half days. They examined patients' eyes, checked their visual acuity and screened for cataracts. They also dilated their pupils to look for glaucoma or diabetesrelated conditions. If needed, patients received eyeglasses, treatment or were put on a list for surgery to be performed locally. Real life experience "What the students see in four-and-a-half days, they would not see ever at University of Waterloo," said Agarwal. "You can read about these conditions in a textbook. But the information does not really stick in your brain unless you see it. Now, these students will recognize these conditions if they see them in the future." The most common Fourteen second- and third-year students from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry volunteered their time to donate free eye care to residents in Mexico. They accompanied Dr. Sanjay Argarwal of Great Lakes Optometry and his 12-year-old nephew Anil Poisson on the volunteer mission. | submitted photo conditions the volunteers saw were sun-related, including pterygium. This is where a growth occurs on the surface of the eye because of sun exposure. They also saw diabetic retinopathy, which is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. During the first stages of diabetic retinopathy, many people don't notice changes in their vision but over time, it can 23rd Anniversary Trip Rome, Tuscany & The Grand Mediterranean Join Our Presentation McTavish Travel Monte Carlo Inn 374 South Service Road E., Oakville, ON Refreshments will be served Call to R.S.V.P. Wednesday April 8th 2:00 - 4:00 pm "But they have to work, so hospital in Mexico. He started I Care they are still driving," said International in 1999 to deliver eye care to underprivileged people and Agarwal. registered it as a Canadian charity in It was his 17th trip 2004. This was Agarwal's 17th On this trip, the team had 8,000 trip to provide eye care. He pairs of glasses, which were donated has also traveled to Honduras, through the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Guatemala, Jamaica, Peru and Recycling Center through the Lions Chile. Club in Calgary. The medical eye As a student at University care products company, Alcon, also of Waterloo, Agarwal donated medicine for dry eyes and wanted a chance to see more glaucoma, as well as antimicrobial, anti disease and volunteered at a allergy, anti-inflammatory medication. Agarwal is not sure of the destination yet, but he knows that he will take another team to Latin America next February, to hopefully change some lives with a simple eye exam. GLOBUS SWITZERLAND For information on I Care In 2015, the Globus family of brands is offering a great selection of Swiss vacations featuring must-see attractions and memorable experiences. Globus features the International, visit icareinternational. fully-escorted 8-day Best of Switzerland and the new 9-day Spectacular Switzerland. This itinerary departs Zürich in a spectacular circle tour through such iconic Swiss ca. Used glasses to be taken on future must-sees as Neuchâtel, Geneva, Gstaad and Lucerne, with the highlight being an alpine train ride to Jungfraujoch. Both Globus tours include its trademark Local Favorites cultural or culinary treats, such as a lunch at a traditional working farm as featured in the Best of Switzerland. Sister company Cosmos ­ with budget-friendly trips can also be donated at Great pricing and guaranteed share program for solo travellers ­ has tempting options in Switzerland - a 10-day Grand Tour of Switzerland, and for a truly memorable holiday, Lakes Optometry, 3420 Rebecca St., Scenic Switzerland by Train. Complete with a Cosmos Tour Director, this is an unusual tour completely by rail, with guaranteed spectacular views from trains including the legendary Glacier Express. Two night stays in spectacular Zermatt and St. Moritz are part of this tour. Prefer to travel independently? Monograms' pre-packaged Oakville. vacations offer hassle-free itineraries including a choice of Superior or First Class hotels with breakfast; first-class rail between cities, half-day sightseeing in each city and services of a Local Host. Monograms is featuring a 6-day Geneva & Lucerne (including Mont Blanc) combination ­ a delightful combination of the charms of this unique alpine country. Call us for early booking discounts on Globus, Cosmos or Monograms. globusjourneys.ca cause blindness. Many of these patients can't afford to see an eye doctor so they would not know they have this condition. "By providing a simple eye exam, we're really making a difference in that person's life," Agarwal said. Other conditions volunteers saw included end-stage glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa, which causes restricted peripheral vision and reduced night vision. 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