• Submitted by: manso
• Society
• 09 / 12 / 2010

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Phoenix-based eye surgery equipment manufacturer Sunridge International started an “Eyes for Cuba” program under which it plans to donate equipment to the island.

The company announced that the proceeds of the Luis Tiant Annual Golf Tournament, to be held Sept. 23 in Massachusetts, will go towards paying for Sunridge equipment and supplies to be sent to Cuba, accompanied by a company team to train Cuban doctors on the equipment.

Sunridge subsidiary Ophthalmic International has developed an alternative, non-invasive treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, called pneumatic trabeculoplasty.

Since 2005, Cuba has emerged as a hemispheric hub for eye surgery. Under its joint “Operation Miracle” program with Venezuela, Cuba has bought hundreds of millions of dollars worth of cutting-edge laser surgery equipment that is used on the island and throughout Latin America. More than 500,000 people have benefited from free eye surgery under Operación Milagro.

Sunridge said its program is partnered by veteran baseball star Luis Tiant and Boston-based charity, Scientific Social Solutions.

“Glaucoma is a devastating disease throughout the Caribbean islands, and we are very happy to have the support of Luis Tiant and his foundation to get some much-needed help into the areas that need it the most,” the press release quotes Sunridge CEO G. Richard Smith as saying.

 The release didn’t mention Operación Milagro, nor did it specify what kind of arrangements the company has with Cuba.

Source: www.cubastandard.com/2010/09/10/u-s-surgery-equipment-manufacturer-eyein...