Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences is a few steps closer to acquiring a much needed $120,000 retinal imaging camera for its Lions Vision Care Centre.
On Tuesday the hospital foundation announced $20,500 has been collected to date to kick off a fundraising drive, as the call went out for private donors to step forward and help the cause.
The machine is vital to eye care in Northwestern Ontario, said ophthalmologist Leland Dhurjon, noting the camera allows doctors to see nearly double the area of the retina as the centre’s current camera can.
It also means treatment can happen closer to home, rather than patients having to travel to Winnipeg or Toronto for appointments.
Dhurjon said there are plenty of regionally prevalent diseases that affect the back of the eye, including high blood pressure and diabetes.
“To be able to treat these conditions, you need to be able to plan ahead. If you can take the pictures, you can plan your treatment effectively,” he said.
“And you can also monitor the treatment.”
The camera has other features in terms of diagnosis, he added.
“You can consult with an expert anywhere in the world. It has the ability that allows you to train other doctors. Instead of looking into the back of the patient’s eye consecutively you can put the image up on the screen and you can discuss it,” Dhurjon said.
Having the latest equipment can also help with recruitment of new ophthalmologists, he said.
Lions Clubs throughout the regions have already contributed to the effort, along with the Royal Canadian Legion’s Fort William Polish Veteran’s Branch and the Slovak Branch 129, who each gave $2,500 to the cause.
Angela Sharbot, the advisory board chair at the Lions Vision Care Centre said when the charity decided to help found the eye-care facility it also took on the fundraising component.
“It is our commitment to make sure the Lions Care Vision Centre has up-to-date equipment,” she said. “Much of the equipment is 15 years old, but over the last two years we’ve replaced the majority of the equipment. This is one last piece of equipment to make sure we have a world-class facility based in Thunder Bay for the residents of Northwestern Ontario.”
Patient Fin Cellick is plagued with an eye condition related to aging, and while she hasn’t yet had to travel for treatment, it’s always remained a possibility. Anything that can keep her closer to home is a good idea in her books.
“I know so many people so much younger than I am that are having difficulties,” she said.
To donate, visit www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/vision or phone 345-4673.
