Both Dr. Benedict and Dr. Chopra have been active in charity work and have contributed their services free of all charges to needy patients requiring cataract surgery throughout the world.
Haiti
Dr. Chopra will be travelling to Haiti with Surgical Eye Expeditions in the summer of 2018 for a cataract camp. We also anticipate doing Microincisional Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS).
Hospital Fraternidad, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Dr. Chopra volunteered for a week to help a new cataract, cornea, and now glaucoma eye mission in Honduras, Central America. He and a team of volunteer doctors performed over 200 cataract, corneal, and glaucoma procedures. Dr. Chopra explained, “We treated a lot of blind people and restored their sight. Thanks to all the team members including Connie Morrow, Tim Harkness, Big Michael Houghtaling, Hong Phan, Eric Meinecke, Robert Burton, Julie Flores, Stuart Tims, Phil Hoopes, Westin Barney, and of course – our leader- Alan Kozarsky. “
Surgical Eye Expedition Trip to Namibia
Namibia is a impoverished country along the southwestern coast of Africa. It has had limited eye care. Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in this country. Dr. Alan Benedict secured equipment and medical donations, and along with Surgical Eye Expeditions International, flew to Namibia. This expedition was responsible for performing exams and performing cataract surgeries restoring sight to patients.
Bidada Hospital Kuch, Gujarat India
Kuch is one of the more arid places in India. In 2001, it was devastated by a earthquake that destroyed the medical infrastructure. In part through donations from Dr. Chopra, the hospital was rebuilt and is now the premier medical institute in the area. After the rebuilding of the hospital, Dr. Chopra participated in the examination of over 3,000 patients and the removal of 504 cataracts restoring sight to many people in this agricultural community.
Surgical Eye Expedition to Bangladesh
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It is located at the northeast border of India. Bangladesh has few natural resources and is plagued with poverty, recurring droughts, monsoons, and disease. Limited access to eye care has led to a disproportionate number of individuals blinded by cataract. Dr. Alan Benedict flew to Bangladesh, bringing medications and surgical equipment. Many patients were examined and were able to have their sight restored by cataract surgery.
Surgical Eye Expedition to Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is located on the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, just north of Australia. It has one of the lowest percentage of physicians per capita in the world. Rabaul is a small town that has been repeatedly devastated by volcanic activity interrupting medical care and general health precautions. Dr. Alan Benedict flew to Raul Papa New Guinea to perform examinations of patients, and perform cataract surgery for those in need. Concurrent with Dr. Benedict’s expedition, the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Partnership humanitarian and civic assistance mission was functioning in Raul.
Surgical Eye Expedition to Jajpur, India
India is a very densely populated country. Jajpur is in the state of Odisha located on the eastern border of India. Odisha is one of the poorest states in India, plagued with droughts, monsoons, and untreated disease. Limited access to eye care and health care in general, has led to a disproportionate number of individuals blinded by cataract. Dr. Alan Benedict flew to Jajpur India, bringing donations of medications and surgical equipment. Over 1100 patients were examined and over 250 were able to have their sight restored by cataract surgery. These patients were able to return to an active function in their community due to restoration of their sight.
Surgical Eye Expedition Trip to Honduras
Honduras is located in Central America. Honduras has endured repeated devastations of flood and hurricane damage. El Progresso is a small town that has poor drinking water and very limited medical care. Dr. Alan Benedict travels to El Progresso to examine patients for cataract surgery and performed these sight restoring surgeries at CCSHH, Centro Cristiano de Servicios Humanitarios de Honduras. In one trip, he was able to perform surgery to save the vision of over 100 patients.