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Wegener’s granulomatosis (VEG-eh-nerz gran-u-loe-muh-TOE-sis) is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation of your blood vessels. This inflammation restricts blood flow to various organs. Wegener’s granulomatosis, which is also called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), often affects your kidneys, lungs and upper respiratory tract. The restricted blood flow to these organs can damage them.
Wegener’s can affect other organs, but this isn’t as common, and generally isn’t as serious. Wegener’s granulomatosis also produces a type of inflammatory tissue known as a granuloma that’s found around the blood vessels. Granulomas can destroy normal tissue. There is no known cause for Wegener’s granulomatosis. Early diagnosis and treatment of Wegener’s granulomatosis may lead to a full recovery. Without treatment, Wegener’s granulomatosis can be fatal, most commonly from kidney failure.
Signs and symptoms of Wegener’s granulomatosis may develop suddenly or over several months. The first Wegener’s granulomatosis symptoms usually involve areas of your respiratory tract, such as your sinuses, throat or lungs. However, the condition often worsens rapidly, affecting blood vessels and the organs they supply, such as the kidneys. Signs and symptoms affecting the eye may include: Eye redness, burning or pain.
The cause of Wegener’s granulomatosis is unknown. It appears to develop after an initial inflammation-causing event triggers an abnormal reaction from your immune system. The combination of these events can lead to inflamed, constricted blood vessels and harmful inflammatory tissue masses (granulomas). The triggering event may be an infection, but no specific infection has been identified as the cause.
Wegener’s granulomatosis can begin at any age, but it most often starts in middle age, with an average onset between 40 and 65.
Source: Adapted from the MayoClinic.com article (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wegeners-granulomatosis/basics/definition/con-20028113) © Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.
M I S S I O NHouston Eye Associates Foundation is committed to preserving and restoring sight with comprehensive eye care surgeries, medications, and ancillary services for individuals in financial hardship; and supporting education and research initiatives for the benefit of the community.
7155 Old Katy Road, Suite N100 • Houston, Texas 77024 Phone: 713-558-8740 • Fax: 713-395-1666
MEDICALCORNER
YOU SHOP. AMAZON GIVES.Are you an Amazon.com shopper? If so, your purchase can help support the Houston Eye Associates Foundation. Log onto http://smile.amazon.com/ch/76-0046317 and select Houston Eye Associates Foundation as the beneficiary organization and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases whenever you shop through AmazonSmile.com. All the products, prices and services remain the same as through the Amazon.com you know.
The VisionHOUSTON EYE ASSOCIATES FOUNDATION
NEWSLETTER
FALL 2014
PATIENT’S MEDICAL CONDITION DISCOVERED THROUGH HER EYES
HEA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preserving and restoring vision to working poor adults and children on the verge of losing their eyesight by providing complete medical and surgical eye care services at no cost. Physicians and medical professionals donate their office time and surgical services while the HEA Foundation pays for the surgical center fees, vision-saving medications, ocular prosthetics, cornea tissue and any other ancillary service required for restored vision.
Deborah Stinson suffered fromchronic eye pain for more thanten years from a lesion affectingthe sclera* beneath her uppereyelid. “I received manydifferent treatments, injections,medications, and services formy eye. My doctors could notresolve the problem. Luckily,I was insured at the time and,for the last three years, received
treatment from uveitis specialist Dr. Susan Wittenbergto help control the pain and explore its cause.”
Two years ago, Ms. Stinson’s employer sold thecompany, and Ms. Stinson lost both her job and herinsurance coverage. “I maintained my extendedinsurance coverage until I could no longer afford it.Just as my insurance coverage lapsed, the pain andgrowth under my eyelid returned,” she stated.
She learned about the HEAFoundation from Dr. Wittenberg and her staff, and applied for Foundation assistance. Shequalified for assistance and wasable to resume treatment.
Ms. Stinson’s condition deteriorated despite ongoingtreatment, and Dr. Wittenberg consulted withDr. Mark Vital (corneal specialist) and Dr. CarlosGonzales (adult strabismus specialist) for surgicalevaluation and excision of the lesion. The tissuebiopsy was suggestive of an atypical presentation ofWegener’s disease (see Medical Corner).
“I am so grateful to the HEA Foundation and to myHEA physicians who not only took the time to
provide me with medical and surgical services but who were interested and concerned enough to send my cultures and slides to a lab to help identify the medical problem that caused the overgrowth of tissue over my eye muscles and resulted in my chronic eye pain.”
“I recall the physicians saying that they wanted topreserve my eyeball first and foremost and that theywould then preserve my vision later. I was devastatedto hear this statement. My vision was, thankfully, notcompromised.” “Three committed physicians who donated theiroffice time and surgical services were able to identifymy rare and complex condition. I may need ongoingimmunosuppressive therapy. I am blessed that theHEA Foundation, its physicians, and its donors wereable to help me during this difficult time in mylife when I was between jobs and had no insurancecoverage.”
Ms. Stinson is now employed as a Training Administrator for a local company. She receives medical insurance coverage through her employer and no longer requires the HEA Foundation’s assistance.
* Sclera is the white of the eye, the opaque, fibrous, protective, outer layer of the eye containing collagen and elastic fiber.
I received many different treatments…My doctors could not resolve the problem.
My vision was, thankfully, not compromised.
VISIONARIES (continued)
Gifts $100-$999Mr. RW AbercrombieMs. Mary P. AdkinsAIG Matching Grants ProgramDr. Seva and Mr. John AnaipakosMr. Lawrence W. AndersonMr. Mohammed AnsariMr. and Mrs. Jose J. Arias and FamilyMs. Delia AtteberyDr. Carol J. BakerMr. Edward BauerleDrs. Gloria and Wiley BilesJoan Melasky and Karl E. BlomquistMs. Antoinette R. BoeckerMr. and Mrs. Larry BoisleyMr. and Mrs. Lynn BooneMs. Gloria BouknightLavinia P. and Stephen Lyle BoydBP America Inc.Virginia A. and Kenneth E. BroughtonMrs. Syble McBay BryanMs. Barbara E. ButlerCameron International CorporationMr. Rick CanadyMr. and Mrs. L.W. Carpenter IIIMr. John D. Carrara, Jr.Ms. Raquel CedilloChevron Humankind Employee Engagement FundMs. Dorothy L. ClarkMs. Odessa ColeMr. and Mrs. D.P. DampfJudge and Mrs. Harold R. DeMoss, Jr.Mrs. Rosemarie DeVidoMs. Mary S. DixV.K. and Suvasini DoraiMs. Mary E. DoranMs. Laura DowneyRuverna and Robert DunningCarolyn and Russell EganEOG Resources, Inc.Mr. Lee EppesMs. Noel ForemanNan D. and Larry W. ForneyMary and Doug GaskinsMs. Lila Gene GeorgeMs. Virginia P. GidleyMr. and Mrs. Fred L. GormanDina and John GramlBarbara F. and Jerry GreadyMr. James M. GreenMs. Anne M. GudmundsenMrs. Geraldine GurleyMs. Tena HallumMr. Lonnie HawkinsMr. and Mrs. Mark W. HeathcoteMr. Fred J. Heyne IIIHighrise Electrical Technologies, Inc.Mrs. Eleanor M. HillMs. Mary S. HindsLynne and Ward HowardVirginia B. and James A. JacksonMary and Billy JerniganMrs. Charles Elizabeth JonesMr. Sam KamalSandy and Frank KampeMr. Patrick L. KeenGeorgia and Lee KnessMichael F. Koehl, M.D.Dr. and Mrs. Richard B. KrakaurEleanor and George KurtzP.G. and George F.B. Lehman, IIIBeverly and Robert LestzMr. Tommy W. LottMs. Maria L. and Mr. Narciso M. Macia
Ms. Ellen MarinoMr. Robert MatlockAnn and Bill McCullochCarolyn and Myron MessnerJeanne B. and R.A. MichalkMr. and Mrs. Clarence A. MillerMr. and Mrs. John C. MoriniereMs. S.I. MorrisMs. Sydonia MuscatMrs. Pat NoelMs. Joann PalieriMs. Susan ParishDeborah and Bobby R. PateMr. R. Wayne PayneMs. Elizabeth PetcoskyKathy and Rick PlaegerConnie and Roger PlankGrace Ann and Leonard PottsMs. Cindy RaimondDr. Lalitha and Mr. S. Venkat RamanMs. Helen Teresa ReynoldsMrs. Sybil F. RoosPatricia and David RosenbergMs. Dorothy B. RuffingSafeway Inc.Mr. John SchomakerMrs. Rozelle SchultzDr. Herman SchultzMr. Gail J. SerrellMr. Marshall A. ShelsyDr. Joe E. ShirleyMs. Joan SilvermanMs. Annie Bell SmithMr. Patrick E. StepchinskiPaula and James SuchmaMr. Ralph TamperDot and Bill ThompsonMs. Tina TillesMichelene G. and John J. ToomeyAnnette and Patrick WalterMr. and Mrs. Kenneth G. Watler, Sr.Mrs. Sid WeaverMr. Jeffrey H. WeissLloyd A. and Priscilla A. WesselsMonica S. and Thomas W. WhiteCarol and Barry WilsonMr. Joseph C. WinklerRandi and Sam YocumMr. Howard Baker YoungMs. Kimberley Young
Gifts $99 and BelowHoward W. and Karen J. ActonMr. Robert A. AndersonMs. Corinna AndrewsMrs. Katherine BarnesLongina and John BarreraMr. Miguel A. BarriosMr. Ted BergeronSylvia and Hank BertiMr. and Mrs. George F. BobbittMr. James BourneMs. Billie Jo BrackeenBrenda and Ralph BronstropGeorge A. and Molly BrookesMs. Betty BuieMs. Judy ButlerMs. Liana CaciulaRev. Wilfred S. Canning, CSBMr. Claude F. “Bubba” Cannon IIIMr. Eduardo Castro Jr. Ms. Juanita R. ClarkMs. Barbara B. ClarkeMrs. Alice P. CraigMr. Gary CraigMr. V.S. CrittendenMinerva and Fructoso Cuellar
Sibbald A. and Llewellyn O. DowdyMs. Patricia D. DoyleCecilia and Bonimar DucoElizabeth D. and Stefan EdwardsMs. Vera N. EllisMr. Richard E. FlanneryMr. Ruben E. FloresMr. and Mrs. Ernesto Flores, Sr.Dr. John J. Fraser, Jr.Ms. Kathleen A. FriskMs. Carmen Garcia Rev. and Mrs. Oscar GonzalesMr. Thomas G. Gready, IIIJoyce and Dennis GreggMs. Ruth D. GuestMr. James M. HamlinGeneva and George HarrellMs. Failure HendersonMs. Maria Ysabel HernandezBarbara and James HumlickMs. Marcia JacksonRebecca S. and Tom JayMrs. Deborah JosephMr. and Mrs. Dan KessnerMr. Philip KochHenriette and Henry KrauseLynette and Johnnie KuderJohanna and Dennis LesterMs. Nan H. LovejoyMs. Evelyn J. LundeNancy C. and Peter R. MacRobertsMs. Marianne MartinMs. Margaret MihaloMs. Millie L. MitchellGloria T. and George J. MundineMr. and Mrs. Earl G. NewmanMary and Daniel O’ConnorDr. John C. O’LearyMrs. Carlita A. OliveMs. Leticia A. OrozcoBobbye and Andrew ParsonsMr. Al PasekMs. Cathy PatrickMr. Kenneth PaxsonMr. and Mrs. John F. PearceMr. Adrian PiperiMrs. Delores QuinDolores Cisneros and Jose L. RamirezMr. James R. RamseyMs. Mary L. Roberts Ms. Patricia J. RobinJames and Claudette Rodgers FoundationTina and Tony RojasMs. Mary Jo RollinsMs. Mary Ann ScardinoMr. Kevin M. SchirmerMs. Dessie Rae ShadowensMs. Olga ShimekJinny Sisson and Will MazeMs. Patricia M. SmithMr. William Kirk SmithMs. Catherine D. SmithLinda and Bill SteinerCarole and James SydowMr. and Mrs. John E. Tant IIIMr. John E. ThamesMr. and Mrs. Richard S. ThomasMs. Judy E. TraweekMr. Frank B. ValouchMs. Mary Helen WhitlowMs. Sharon WidenerMs. Olive WilliamsThe Williams Companies, Inc.Ms. L. Darlene WiltzJoan and Roy WoodMr. Herbert Young
IN MEMORY OFMrs. Clara AndreasonMs. Michelle Loftin BronstropLelo CalhounMr. Marty CardenMr. Jesus ColchadoSusana CordouaMrs. Millie DampfC.R. EdwardsMr. Humberto GonzalezPedro HaroMr. John L. JayWaldo JohnsonMs. Janie McSwain JohnsonMr. Adrian JovelMr. Lee KrakaurMr. Greg R. LanierMr. Antonio LopezMr. John LovejoyMs. Mildred Mitchell NietmannMs. Tommie Jo MizeY. Burt OliveBetty PryseMs. Rachel Ann RampyMs. Lupita RomeroDr. Robert H. StewartMr. John E. Tant IVMr. Ronald Traylor
IN HONOR OFJeffrey B. Arnoult, MD, FACSB.T. Atkinson and Jessica Michael A. Bloome MD, FACSIna Bonner Ms. Lindsey Butler and Mr. Marshall Fenton John D. Goosey, MDLindsey D. Harris, MD, FACSKevin Y. Jong, MDRichard L. Kimbrough, MD, FACSJeffrey D. Lanier, MD, FACSBailey L. Lee, MDJohn M. Lim, MD, FACSWilliam H. Quayle, MDWilliam Colby Stewart, MD, FACSMr. Thomas L. Titus Ms. Lanier Whilden Susan E. Wittenberg, MDStewart L. Zuckerbrod, MD
VISIONARIESGifts $1000 and AboveThe Brown Foundation, Inc.Harry S. and Isabel C. Cameron FoundationAndrew Delaney FoundationMs. Johnette DodsonDr. and Mrs. Steven H. DunnThe Ellwood FoundationThe Fondren FoundationFridley Family Fund/ Mr. Dale L. FridleyFaye and Carl GregoryMr. James L. HamiltonMargene and Bill LloydMr. Calvin C. Mann, Jr.John P. McGovern FoundationShell Oil Company Foundation Matching Gifts
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS Gifts made from May 1, 2014 to October 31. 2014.
EYE BALL 2015 — MARDI GRAS FUN!Houston Eye Associates Foundation and Prevent Blindness Texas, two non-profit organizations committed to preserving and restoring sight, are proud to recognize Christina Ibrahim, Vice President, Corporate Secretary & Chief Commercial Counsel – Western Hemisphere, Halliburton Company, as the honoree for the 6th Annual Houston EYE BALL. Since 2010, more than $1.7 million has been raised through the annual EYE BALL galas. If you would like to learn more about the EYE BALL 2015, please call Claudia McCabe at (713) 558-8740.
Many thanks to the 2015 Event Underwriters: Byrd Interior Construction • Lynn & David Rizzo • Nancy & Kenneth Spitler • Sysco
WAYS TO HELP US HELP OTHERS.Will you consider listing the Houston Eye Associates Foundation within your estate planning? If so, please call (713) 558-8740 to request the necessary information to ensure the Houston Eye Associates Foundation is listed within your plan. Hundreds of adults and children will appreciate your generosity as their vision will be preserved and restored because of your gift.
Short of gift ideas for the holidays, birthdays, special celebrations or as an appreciation to someone?Consider sponsoring a surgery in honor or memoryof someone. Your financial gift will help adults andchildren receive medical and surgical eye care services to
regain their vision and independence. An acknowledgmentnote will be sent on your behalf for the gift in the person’s honor. For more information call (713) 558-8740.
HELPING REFUGEE FAMILIESMore than 300 refugee families benefitted from vision screenings offered by Houston Eye Associates physicians and Houston Eye Associates Foundation volunteers.
Volunteers providing vision screening.
HEA physicians (l to r): Dr. Victor Chang, Dr. Elaine Thung, Dr. Fiaz Zaman, Dr. Mark Vital and Dr. Samih Elchahal.
Houston Eye Associates physicians providing preliminary eye examinations.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! IT’S THE BIG 3 - 0 !Gather your team and register for the upcoming 30th Annual “Lookin’ Good” Shamrock Strut Fun Run 10K, 5K and Kids K run/walk on Saturday, March 21, 2015. For 30 years, Houston Eye Associates Foundation has been hosting a community-based fun run/walk to promote awareness of its services as well as raise funds to provide medical and surgical eye care services to adults and children on the verge of losing their vision. Come out and help us celebrate this special year!
Race Times: Kids K, 7:45 am 5K/10K Races, 8:00 amRace Area: West University/Medical Center neighborhoodRace Information: Packet Pick Up Dates, Course Map, Registration Link, etc., posted on www.houstoneye.com/foundation
How can you help? Register for the race as a runner or walker! Start a team and walk/run together! Volunteer! Be a Sponsor!
After the race, join in the fun Post-Race Party festivities. Music provided by 104.1 KRBE, great food provided by My Fit Foods, Kolache Factory, Chick-Fil-A, and much more. Kids will enjoy face painting, moonwalks, eyeglass craft table, Hula Hoop station and other carnival themed booths.
Registration opens on Monday, December 8. Watch for early registration incentives by Dromgoole’s Fine Writing Instruments and Stationery, My Fit Foods, Kolache Factory, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Indoor Waterpark and Houston Optical.
EVENT SPONSORS:
IN-KIND SPONSORS: Adidas, Carl Zeiss Vision, Chick Fil A (Buffalo Speedway/Holcombe), Houston Optical Centers, Maui Jim Eyewear, My Fit Foods, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Indoor Waterpark, and other local businesses (at time of printing).
We hope to see you at the race! Make sure to show your green Irish pride! Great Fun, Food and Cause! And Free Parking!
DID YOU KNOW?For more than 45 years, Sight into Sound (formerly known as Taping for the Blind) has ensured that Texas’ visually and print impaired community is able to enjoy the written word. Sight Into Sound helps the lives of individuals with visual, physical, and learning disabilities by transforming sight into sound. Services include a radio reading program which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in which volunteers read the Houston Chronicle, Wall Street Journal and more than 50 additional publications; a customized reading service, and descriptive services (theater, sports, movies, etc.). For more information, call 713-622-2767.
Houseman/Wilkins Ophthalmological
Foundation
Order your moisture wick running shirts when registering online @ $15 each
Registered teams will have reserved tables and seating during post race party
Dear Visionaries, I am humbled to have served the past four years as President of an organization in which you have personally invested.
I gained a wealth of knowledge during this time – the significance of board members, physicians, medical professionals and service providers necessary all of whom are necessary to support our mission. I also experienced firsthand how financially generous our communities are. Houston Eye Associates Foundation is strictly funded through private donations and special events; the support received from all resources was extraordinary.
My active role within the Houston Eye Associates Foundation reinforced one of the many factors that led me to practice medicine. The immediate impact to someone’s life – such as actually restoring vision – is so very gratifying. Serving underserved adults and children through the Houston Eye Associates Foundation, who would not otherwise be able to receive eye care services, is very rewarding. Your support to this organization is an investment in the community – simply by restoring sight.
I will continue to stay active with Houston Eye Associates Foundation and support the incoming President, Dr. Samih Elchahal. His leader-ship and “Vision” will strengthen Houston Eye Associates Foundation and your continuing investment to the community we serve.
Thank you again for all of your support and confidence in the work we do.
Sightfully yours,
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
After falling 27 times last year due to my decreased vision and four strokes, my son was committed to finding help for my eyes. I had suffered seven years with poor eyesight before he came across the HEA Foundation. We downloaded all of the proper forms, and shortly after submitting them, I was accepted into the program.
Finally, after years of waiting, I was getting help! Dr. Samih Elchahal performed cataract surgery on both eyes, and now, I am able to drive and have the ability to be independent again. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel and will continue to feel for the rest of my days for everyone that supports the Foundation with time and donations. — L. Martin
Dr. Mark VitalPresident, Houston Eye Associates Foundation
Kenneth SpitlerJustus Thomas, MDMark C. Vital, MDSusan E. Wittenberg, MDS. Conrad Weil, Jr.Lanier Whilden
HOUSTON EYE ASSOCIATES FOUNDATIONBOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carol HollowayMarc N. Longo, MDRichard J. Ou, MD, FACSRebecca ParsonsWilliam H. Quayle, MD, MSLynn C. Rizzo, CPASteven Spears
Janet Balke, PhDGenie ByrdRosanette S. CullenJerry DeutserSamih Elchahal, MDDeanna Pena Garcia, ODCarlos Gonzales, MD
We appreciate the support of Houston Eye Associates physicians and optometrists for donating their time and services to fulfill the organization’s mission of providing complete medical and surgical eye care services at no cost for adults and children on the verge of losing their eyesight.OphthalmologistsLarry P. Alexander, M.D.Belu Allam, M.D.Jeffrey B. Arnoult, M.D.William S. Banks III, M.D.Michael A. Bloome, M.D.Victor Y. Chang, M.D.Carolyn Chen, M.D.Prajay Dhir, M.D.M. Dolores Diaz, M.D.Steven H. Dunn, M.D.Samih Elchahal, M.D.Susan K. Fish, M.D.Allan H. Fradkin, M.D.Carlos A. Gonzales, M.D.John D. Goosey, M.D.Sol Hamburg, M.D.Lindsey D. Harris, M.D.Kenneth J. Hyde, M.D.Mark S. Jenkins, M.D.Daniel E. Jenkins III, M.D.Kevin Y. Jong, M.D.Sherif K. Khalil, M.D.Richard L. Kimbrough, M.D.Andrew C., Kopel, M.D.Timmy A. Kovoor, M.D.James Z. Lai, M.D.Jeffrey D. Lanier, M.D.Kelly L. Larkin, M.D.Bailey L. Lee, M.D.John M. Lim, M.D.Alison Lin, M.D.Malcolm L., Mazow, M.D.Aaron M. Miller, M.D.Bernard A. Milstein, M.D.Kathryn H. Musgrove, M.D.Richard J. Ou, M.D.Paula J. Phillips, M.D.Mitchell M. Porias, D.O.C. Downey Price, M.D.William H. Quayle, M.D.Paul C. Salmonsen, M.D.Mirwat Sami, M.D.Adeel H. Shaikh, M.D.Hayne J. Sheffield, M.D.W. Colby Stewart, M.D.Ann U. Stout, M.D.Justus W. Thomas, M.D.Elaine G. Thung, M.D.Richard G. Urso, M.D.Da-Thuy Van, D.O.Louis E. Verstringhe III, M.D.Mark C. Vital, M.D.L. Andrew Watkins, M.D.Robert B. Wilkins, M.D.Susan E. Wittenberg, M.D.Fiaz Zaman, M.D.Stewart L. Zuckerbrod, M.D.
OptometristsTia Budde, O.D.Chloe Butts, O.D.Tammy Conatser, O.D. Monica Deliganis-Gonzales, O.D.Megan Heany, O.D.Mark Klaff, O.D.Matthew Lahmeyer, O.D.Alan Lee, O.D.Michelle Levin, O.D.Mary Morales, O.D.Spencer Obie, O.D.Deanna Pena-Garcia, O.D.Kristyn Reed, O.D.Julie Yi, O.D.
“Thank you so much for restoring our faith in mankind and reassuring us there are still people out there who care about others.” —Linda D.
“ I could not see anything from my right eye. I can now read the large green signs on the freeway. I can now read the speedometer in my car. Thank you for your kindness and much needed help. This has also improved my ability to perform tasks that require eye-to-hand coordination.This will help me find employment. I appreciate your generosity.” —James R.
HELP SUPPORTA SURGERY:
Donate by calling713-558-8740or visitHoustonEye.com/Foundation
EYE BALL 2015 — MARDI GRAS FUN!Houston Eye Associates Foundation and Prevent Blindness Texas, two non-profit organizations committed to preserving and restoring sight, are proud to recognize Christina Ibrahim, Vice President, Corporate Secretary & Chief Commercial Counsel – Western Hemisphere, Halliburton Company, as the honoree for the 6th Annual Houston EYE BALL. Since 2010, more than $1.7 million has been raised through the annual EYE BALL galas. If you would like to learn more about the EYE BALL 2015, please call Claudia McCabe at (713) 558-8740.
Many thanks to the 2015 Event Underwriters: Byrd Interior Construction • Lynn & David Rizzo • Nancy & Kenneth Spitler • Sysco
WAYS TO HELP US HELP OTHERS.Will you consider listing the Houston Eye Associates Foundation within your estate planning? If so, please call (713) 558-8740 to request the necessary information to ensure the Houston Eye Associates Foundation is listed within your plan. Hundreds of adults and children will appreciate your generosity as their vision will be preserved and restored because of your gift.
Short of gift ideas for the holidays, birthdays, special celebrations or as an appreciation to someone?Consider sponsoring a surgery in honor or memoryof someone. Your financial gift will help adults andchildren receive medical and surgical eye care services to
regain their vision and independence. An acknowledgmentnote will be sent on your behalf for the gift in the person’s honor. For more information call (713) 558-8740.
HELPING REFUGEE FAMILIESMore than 300 refugee families benefitted from vision screenings offered by Houston Eye Associates physicians and Houston Eye Associates Foundation volunteers.
Volunteers providing vision screening.
HEA physicians (l to r): Dr. Victor Chang, Dr. Elaine Thung, Dr. Fiaz Zaman, Dr. Mark Vital and Dr. Samih Elchahal.
Houston Eye Associates physicians providing preliminary eye examinations.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! IT’S THE BIG 3 - 0 !Gather your team and register for the upcoming 30th Annual “Lookin’ Good” Shamrock Strut Fun Run 10K, 5K and Kids K run/walk on Saturday, March 21, 2015. For 30 years, Houston Eye Associates Foundation has been hosting a community-based fun run/walk to promote awareness of its services as well as raise funds to provide medical and surgical eye care services to adults and children on the verge of losing their vision. Come out and help us celebrate this special year!
Race Times: Kids K, 7:45 am 5K/10K Races, 8:00 amRace Area: West University/Medical Center neighborhoodRace Information: Packet Pick Up Dates, Course Map, Registration Link, etc., posted on www.houstoneye.com/foundation
How can you help? Register for the race as a runner or walker! Start a team and walk/run together! Volunteer! Be a Sponsor!
After the race, join in the fun Post-Race Party festivities. Music provided by 104.1 KRBE, great food provided by My Fit Foods, Kolache Factory, Chick-Fil-A, and much more. Kids will enjoy face painting, moonwalks, eyeglass craft table, Hula Hoop station and other carnival themed booths.
Registration opens on Monday, December 8. Watch for early registration incentives by Dromgoole’s Fine Writing Instruments and Stationery, My Fit Foods, Kolache Factory, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Indoor Waterpark and Houston Optical.
EVENT SPONSORS:
IN-KIND SPONSORS: Adidas, Carl Zeiss Vision, Chick Fil A (Buffalo Speedway/Holcombe), Houston Optical Centers, Maui Jim Eyewear, My Fit Foods, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Indoor Waterpark, and other local businesses (at time of printing).
We hope to see you at the race! Make sure to show your green Irish pride! Great Fun, Food and Cause! And Free Parking!
DID YOU KNOW?For more than 45 years, Sight into Sound (formerly known as Taping for the Blind) has ensured that Texas’ visually and print impaired community is able to enjoy the written word. Sight Into Sound helps the lives of individuals with visual, physical, and learning disabilities by transforming sight into sound. Services include a radio reading program which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in which volunteers read the Houston Chronicle, Wall Street Journal and more than 50 additional publications; a customized reading service, and descriptive services (theater, sports, movies, etc.). For more information, call 713-622-2767.
Houseman/Wilkins Ophthalmological
Foundation
Order your moisture wick running shirts when registering online @ $15 each
Registered teams will have reserved tables and seating during post race party
Dear Visionaries, I am humbled to have served the past four years as President of an organization in which you have personally invested.
I gained a wealth of knowledge during this time – the significance of board members, physicians, medical professionals and service providers necessary all of whom are necessary to support our mission. I also experienced firsthand how financially generous our communities are. Houston Eye Associates Foundation is strictly funded through private donations and special events; the support received from all resources was extraordinary.
My active role within the Houston Eye Associates Foundation reinforced one of the many factors that led me to practice medicine. The immediate impact to someone’s life – such as actually restoring vision – is so very gratifying. Serving underserved adults and children through the Houston Eye Associates Foundation, who would not otherwise be able to receive eye care services, is very rewarding. Your support to this organization is an investment in the community – simply by restoring sight.
I will continue to stay active with Houston Eye Associates Foundation and support the incoming President, Dr. Samih Elchahal. His leader-ship and “Vision” will strengthen Houston Eye Associates Foundation and your continuing investment to the community we serve.
Thank you again for all of your support and confidence in the work we do.
Sightfully yours,
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
After falling 27 times last year due to my decreased vision and four strokes, my son was committed to finding help for my eyes. I had suffered seven years with poor eyesight before he came across the HEA Foundation. We downloaded all of the proper forms, and shortly after submitting them, I was accepted into the program.
Finally, after years of waiting, I was getting help! Dr. Samih Elchahal performed cataract surgery on both eyes, and now, I am able to drive and have the ability to be independent again. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel and will continue to feel for the rest of my days for everyone that supports the Foundation with time and donations. — L. Martin
Dr. Mark VitalPresident, Houston Eye Associates Foundation
Kenneth SpitlerJustus Thomas, MDMark C. Vital, MDSusan E. Wittenberg, MDS. Conrad Weil, Jr.Lanier Whilden
HOUSTON EYE ASSOCIATES FOUNDATIONBOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carol HollowayMarc N. Longo, MDRichard J. Ou, MD, FACSRebecca ParsonsWilliam H. Quayle, MD, MSLynn C. Rizzo, CPASteven Spears
Janet Balke, PhDGenie ByrdRosanette S. CullenJerry DeutserSamih Elchahal, MDDeanna Pena Garcia, ODCarlos Gonzales, MD
We appreciate the support of Houston Eye Associates physicians and optometrists for donating their time and services to fulfill the organization’s mission of providing complete medical and surgical eye care services at no cost for adults and children on the verge of losing their eyesight.OphthalmologistsLarry P. Alexander, M.D.Belu Allam, M.D.Jeffrey B. Arnoult, M.D.William S. Banks III, M.D.Michael A. Bloome, M.D.Victor Y. Chang, M.D.Carolyn Chen, M.D.Prajay Dhir, M.D.M. Dolores Diaz, M.D.Steven H. Dunn, M.D.Samih Elchahal, M.D.Susan K. Fish, M.D.Allan H. Fradkin, M.D.Carlos A. Gonzales, M.D.John D. Goosey, M.D.Sol Hamburg, M.D.Lindsey D. Harris, M.D.Kenneth J. Hyde, M.D.Mark S. Jenkins, M.D.Daniel E. Jenkins III, M.D.Kevin Y. Jong, M.D.Sherif K. Khalil, M.D.Richard L. Kimbrough, M.D.Andrew C., Kopel, M.D.Timmy A. Kovoor, M.D.James Z. Lai, M.D.Jeffrey D. Lanier, M.D.Kelly L. Larkin, M.D.Bailey L. Lee, M.D.John M. Lim, M.D.Alison Lin, M.D.Malcolm L., Mazow, M.D.Aaron M. Miller, M.D.Bernard A. Milstein, M.D.Kathryn H. Musgrove, M.D.Richard J. Ou, M.D.Paula J. Phillips, M.D.Mitchell M. Porias, D.O.C. Downey Price, M.D.William H. Quayle, M.D.Paul C. Salmonsen, M.D.Mirwat Sami, M.D.Adeel H. Shaikh, M.D.Hayne J. Sheffield, M.D.W. Colby Stewart, M.D.Ann U. Stout, M.D.Justus W. Thomas, M.D.Elaine G. Thung, M.D.Richard G. Urso, M.D.Da-Thuy Van, D.O.Louis E. Verstringhe III, M.D.Mark C. Vital, M.D.L. Andrew Watkins, M.D.Robert B. Wilkins, M.D.Susan E. Wittenberg, M.D.Fiaz Zaman, M.D.Stewart L. Zuckerbrod, M.D.
OptometristsTia Budde, O.D.Chloe Butts, O.D.Tammy Conatser, O.D. Monica Deliganis-Gonzales, O.D.Megan Heany, O.D.Mark Klaff, O.D.Matthew Lahmeyer, O.D.Alan Lee, O.D.Michelle Levin, O.D.Mary Morales, O.D.Spencer Obie, O.D.Deanna Pena-Garcia, O.D.Kristyn Reed, O.D.Julie Yi, O.D.
“Thank you so much for restoring our faith in mankind and reassuring us there are still people out there who care about others.” —Linda D.
“ I could not see anything from my right eye. I can now read the large green signs on the freeway. I can now read the speedometer in my car. Thank you for your kindness and much needed help. This has also improved my ability to perform tasks that require eye-to-hand coordination.This will help me find employment. I appreciate your generosity.” —James R.
HELP SUPPORTA SURGERY:
Donate by calling713-558-8740or visitHoustonEye.com/Foundation
EYE BALL 2015 — MARDI GRAS FUN!Houston Eye Associates Foundation and Prevent Blindness Texas, two non-profit organizations committed to preserving and restoring sight, are proud to recognize Christina Ibrahim, Vice President, Corporate Secretary & Chief Commercial Counsel – Western Hemisphere, Halliburton Company, as the honoree for the 6th Annual Houston EYE BALL. Since 2010, more than $1.7 million has been raised through the annual EYE BALL galas. If you would like to learn more about the EYE BALL 2015, please call Claudia McCabe at (713) 558-8740.
Many thanks to the 2015 Event Underwriters: Byrd Interior Construction • Lynn & David Rizzo • Nancy & Kenneth Spitler • Sysco
WAYS TO HELP US HELP OTHERS.Will you consider listing the Houston Eye Associates Foundation within your estate planning? If so, please call (713) 558-8740 to request the necessary information to ensure the Houston Eye Associates Foundation is listed within your plan. Hundreds of adults and children will appreciate your generosity as their vision will be preserved and restored because of your gift.
Short of gift ideas for the holidays, birthdays, special celebrations or as an appreciation to someone?Consider sponsoring a surgery in honor or memoryof someone. Your financial gift will help adults andchildren receive medical and surgical eye care services to
regain their vision and independence. An acknowledgmentnote will be sent on your behalf for the gift in the person’s honor. For more information call (713) 558-8740.
HELPING REFUGEE FAMILIESMore than 300 refugee families benefitted from vision screenings offered by Houston Eye Associates physicians and Houston Eye Associates Foundation volunteers.
Volunteers providing vision screening.
HEA physicians (l to r): Dr. Victor Chang, Dr. Elaine Thung, Dr. Fiaz Zaman, Dr. Mark Vital and Dr. Samih Elchahal.
Houston Eye Associates physicians providing preliminary eye examinations.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! IT’S THE BIG 3 - 0 !Gather your team and register for the upcoming 30th Annual “Lookin’ Good” Shamrock Strut Fun Run 10K, 5K and Kids K run/walk on Saturday, March 21, 2015. For 30 years, Houston Eye Associates Foundation has been hosting a community-based fun run/walk to promote awareness of its services as well as raise funds to provide medical and surgical eye care services to adults and children on the verge of losing their vision. Come out and help us celebrate this special year!
Race Times: Kids K, 7:45 am 5K/10K Races, 8:00 amRace Area: West University/Medical Center neighborhoodRace Information: Packet Pick Up Dates, Course Map, Registration Link, etc., posted on www.houstoneye.com/foundation
How can you help? Register for the race as a runner or walker! Start a team and walk/run together! Volunteer! Be a Sponsor!
After the race, join in the fun Post-Race Party festivities. Music provided by 104.1 KRBE, great food provided by My Fit Foods, Kolache Factory, Chick-Fil-A, and much more. Kids will enjoy face painting, moonwalks, eyeglass craft table, Hula Hoop station and other carnival themed booths.
Registration opens on Monday, December 8. Watch for early registration incentives by Dromgoole’s Fine Writing Instruments and Stationery, My Fit Foods, Kolache Factory, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Indoor Waterpark and Houston Optical.
EVENT SPONSORS:
IN-KIND SPONSORS: Adidas, Carl Zeiss Vision, Chick Fil A (Buffalo Speedway/Holcombe), Houston Optical Centers, Maui Jim Eyewear, My Fit Foods, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Indoor Waterpark, and other local businesses (at time of printing).
We hope to see you at the race! Make sure to show your green Irish pride! Great Fun, Food and Cause! And Free Parking!
DID YOU KNOW?For more than 45 years, Sight into Sound (formerly known as Taping for the Blind) has ensured that Texas’ visually and print impaired community is able to enjoy the written word. Sight Into Sound helps the lives of individuals with visual, physical, and learning disabilities by transforming sight into sound. Services include a radio reading program which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in which volunteers read the Houston Chronicle, Wall Street Journal and more than 50 additional publications; a customized reading service, and descriptive services (theater, sports, movies, etc.). For more information, call 713-622-2767.
Houseman/Wilkins Ophthalmological
Foundation
Order your moisture wick running shirts when registering online @ $15 each
Registered teams will have reserved tables and seating during post race party
Dear Visionaries, I am humbled to have served the past four years as President of an organization in which you have personally invested.
I gained a wealth of knowledge during this time – the significance of board members, physicians, medical professionals and service providers necessary all of whom are necessary to support our mission. I also experienced firsthand how financially generous our communities are. Houston Eye Associates Foundation is strictly funded through private donations and special events; the support received from all resources was extraordinary.
My active role within the Houston Eye Associates Foundation reinforced one of the many factors that led me to practice medicine. The immediate impact to someone’s life – such as actually restoring vision – is so very gratifying. Serving underserved adults and children through the Houston Eye Associates Foundation, who would not otherwise be able to receive eye care services, is very rewarding. Your support to this organization is an investment in the community – simply by restoring sight.
I will continue to stay active with Houston Eye Associates Foundation and support the incoming President, Dr. Samih Elchahal. His leader-ship and “Vision” will strengthen Houston Eye Associates Foundation and your continuing investment to the community we serve.
Thank you again for all of your support and confidence in the work we do.
Sightfully yours,
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
After falling 27 times last year due to my decreased vision and four strokes, my son was committed to finding help for my eyes. I had suffered seven years with poor eyesight before he came across the HEA Foundation. We downloaded all of the proper forms, and shortly after submitting them, I was accepted into the program.
Finally, after years of waiting, I was getting help! Dr. Samih Elchahal performed cataract surgery on both eyes, and now, I am able to drive and have the ability to be independent again. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel and will continue to feel for the rest of my days for everyone that supports the Foundation with time and donations. — L. Martin
Dr. Mark VitalPresident, Houston Eye Associates Foundation
Kenneth SpitlerJustus Thomas, MDMark C. Vital, MDSusan E. Wittenberg, MDS. Conrad Weil, Jr.Lanier Whilden
HOUSTON EYE ASSOCIATES FOUNDATIONBOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carol HollowayMarc N. Longo, MDRichard J. Ou, MD, FACSRebecca ParsonsWilliam H. Quayle, MD, MSLynn C. Rizzo, CPASteven Spears
Janet Balke, PhDGenie ByrdRosanette S. CullenJerry DeutserSamih Elchahal, MDDeanna Pena Garcia, ODCarlos Gonzales, MD
We appreciate the support of Houston Eye Associates physicians and optometrists for donating their time and services to fulfill the organization’s mission of providing complete medical and surgical eye care services at no cost for adults and children on the verge of losing their eyesight.OphthalmologistsLarry P. Alexander, M.D.Belu Allam, M.D.Jeffrey B. Arnoult, M.D.William S. Banks III, M.D.Michael A. Bloome, M.D.Victor Y. Chang, M.D.Carolyn Chen, M.D.Prajay Dhir, M.D.M. Dolores Diaz, M.D.Steven H. Dunn, M.D.Samih Elchahal, M.D.Susan K. Fish, M.D.Allan H. Fradkin, M.D.Carlos A. Gonzales, M.D.John D. Goosey, M.D.Sol Hamburg, M.D.Lindsey D. Harris, M.D.Kenneth J. Hyde, M.D.Mark S. Jenkins, M.D.Daniel E. Jenkins III, M.D.Kevin Y. Jong, M.D.Sherif K. Khalil, M.D.Richard L. Kimbrough, M.D.Andrew C., Kopel, M.D.Timmy A. Kovoor, M.D.James Z. Lai, M.D.Jeffrey D. Lanier, M.D.Kelly L. Larkin, M.D.Bailey L. Lee, M.D.John M. Lim, M.D.Alison Lin, M.D.Malcolm L., Mazow, M.D.Aaron M. Miller, M.D.Bernard A. Milstein, M.D.Kathryn H. Musgrove, M.D.Richard J. Ou, M.D.Paula J. Phillips, M.D.Mitchell M. Porias, D.O.C. Downey Price, M.D.William H. Quayle, M.D.Paul C. Salmonsen, M.D.Mirwat Sami, M.D.Adeel H. Shaikh, M.D.Hayne J. Sheffield, M.D.W. Colby Stewart, M.D.Ann U. Stout, M.D.Justus W. Thomas, M.D.Elaine G. Thung, M.D.Richard G. Urso, M.D.Da-Thuy Van, D.O.Louis E. Verstringhe III, M.D.Mark C. Vital, M.D.L. Andrew Watkins, M.D.Robert B. Wilkins, M.D.Susan E. Wittenberg, M.D.Fiaz Zaman, M.D.Stewart L. Zuckerbrod, M.D.
OptometristsTia Budde, O.D.Chloe Butts, O.D.Tammy Conatser, O.D. Monica Deliganis-Gonzales, O.D.Megan Heany, O.D.Mark Klaff, O.D.Matthew Lahmeyer, O.D.Alan Lee, O.D.Michelle Levin, O.D.Mary Morales, O.D.Spencer Obie, O.D.Deanna Pena-Garcia, O.D.Kristyn Reed, O.D.Julie Yi, O.D.
“Thank you so much for restoring our faith in mankind and reassuring us there are still people out there who care about others.” —Linda D.
“ I could not see anything from my right eye. I can now read the large green signs on the freeway. I can now read the speedometer in my car. Thank you for your kindness and much needed help. This has also improved my ability to perform tasks that require eye-to-hand coordination.This will help me find employment. I appreciate your generosity.” —James R.
HELP SUPPORTA SURGERY:
Donate by calling713-558-8740or visitHoustonEye.com/Foundation
Wegener’s granulomatosis (VEG-eh-nerz gran-u-loe-muh-TOE-sis) is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation of your blood vessels. This inflammation restricts blood flow to various organs. Wegener’s granulomatosis, which is also called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), often affects your kidneys, lungs and upper respiratory tract. The restricted blood flow to these organs can damage them.
Wegener’s can affect other organs, but this isn’t as common, and generally isn’t as serious. Wegener’s granulomatosis also produces a type of inflammatory tissue known as a granuloma that’s found around the blood vessels. Granulomas can destroy normal tissue. There is no known cause for Wegener’s granulomatosis. Early diagnosis and treatment of Wegener’s granulomatosis may lead to a full recovery. Without treatment, Wegener’s granulomatosis can be fatal, most commonly from kidney failure.
Signs and symptoms of Wegener’s granulomatosis may develop suddenly or over several months. The first Wegener’s granulomatosis symptoms usually involve areas of your respiratory tract, such as your sinuses, throat or lungs. However, the condition often worsens rapidly, affecting blood vessels and the organs they supply, such as the kidneys. Signs and symptoms affecting the eye may include: Eye redness, burning or pain.
The cause of Wegener’s granulomatosis is unknown. It appears to develop after an initial inflammation-causing event triggers an abnormal reaction from your immune system. The combination of these events can lead to inflamed, constricted blood vessels and harmful inflammatory tissue masses (granulomas). The triggering event may be an infection, but no specific infection has been identified as the cause.
Wegener’s granulomatosis can begin at any age, but it most often starts in middle age, with an average onset between 40 and 65.
Source: Adapted from the MayoClinic.com article (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wegeners-granulomatosis/basics/definition/con-20028113) © Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.
M I S S I O NHouston Eye Associates Foundation is committed to preserving and restoring sight with comprehensive eye care surgeries, medications, and ancillary services for individuals in financial hardship; and supporting education and research initiatives for the benefit of the community.
7155 Old Katy Road, Suite N100 • Houston, Texas 77024 Phone: 713-558-8740 • Fax: 713-395-1666
MEDICALCORNER
YOU SHOP. AMAZON GIVES.Are you an Amazon.com shopper? If so, your purchase can help support the Houston Eye Associates Foundation. Log onto http://smile.amazon.com/ch/76-0046317 and select Houston Eye Associates Foundation as the beneficiary organization and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases whenever you shop through AmazonSmile.com. All the products, prices and services remain the same as through the Amazon.com you know.
The VisionHOUSTON EYE ASSOCIATES FOUNDATION
NEWSLETTER
FALL 2014
PATIENT’S MEDICAL CONDITION DISCOVERED THROUGH HER EYES
HEA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preserving and restoring vision to working poor adults and children on the verge of losing their eyesight by providing complete medical and surgical eye care services at no cost. Physicians and medical professionals donate their office time and surgical services while the HEA Foundation pays for the surgical center fees, vision-saving medications, ocular prosthetics, cornea tissue and any other ancillary service required for restored vision.
Deborah Stinson suffered fromchronic eye pain for more thanten years from a lesion affectingthe sclera* beneath her uppereyelid. “I received manydifferent treatments, injections,medications, and services formy eye. My doctors could notresolve the problem. Luckily,I was insured at the time and,for the last three years, received
treatment from uveitis specialist Dr. Susan Wittenbergto help control the pain and explore its cause.”
Two years ago, Ms. Stinson’s employer sold thecompany, and Ms. Stinson lost both her job and herinsurance coverage. “I maintained my extendedinsurance coverage until I could no longer afford it.Just as my insurance coverage lapsed, the pain andgrowth under my eyelid returned,” she stated.
She learned about the HEAFoundation from Dr. Wittenberg and her staff, and applied for Foundation assistance. Shequalified for assistance and wasable to resume treatment.
Ms. Stinson’s condition deteriorated despite ongoingtreatment, and Dr. Wittenberg consulted withDr. Mark Vital (corneal specialist) and Dr. CarlosGonzales (adult strabismus specialist) for surgicalevaluation and excision of the lesion. The tissuebiopsy was suggestive of an atypical presentation ofWegener’s disease (see Medical Corner).
“I am so grateful to the HEA Foundation and to myHEA physicians who not only took the time to
provide me with medical and surgical services but who were interested and concerned enough to send my cultures and slides to a lab to help identify the medical problem that caused the overgrowth of tissue over my eye muscles and resulted in my chronic eye pain.”
“I recall the physicians saying that they wanted topreserve my eyeball first and foremost and that theywould then preserve my vision later. I was devastatedto hear this statement. My vision was, thankfully, notcompromised.” “Three committed physicians who donated theiroffice time and surgical services were able to identifymy rare and complex condition. I may need ongoingimmunosuppressive therapy. I am blessed that theHEA Foundation, its physicians, and its donors wereable to help me during this difficult time in mylife when I was between jobs and had no insurancecoverage.”
Ms. Stinson is now employed as a Training Administrator for a local company. She receives medical insurance coverage through her employer and no longer requires the HEA Foundation’s assistance.
* Sclera is the white of the eye, the opaque, fibrous, protective, outer layer of the eye containing collagen and elastic fiber.
I received many different treatments…My doctors could not resolve the problem.
My vision was, thankfully, not compromised.
VISIONARIES (continued)
Gifts $100-$999Mr. RW AbercrombieMs. Mary P. AdkinsAIG Matching Grants ProgramDr. Seva and Mr. John AnaipakosMr. Lawrence W. AndersonMr. Mohammed AnsariMr. and Mrs. Jose J. Arias and FamilyMs. Delia AtteberyDr. Carol J. BakerMr. Edward BauerleDrs. Gloria and Wiley BilesJoan Melasky and Karl E. BlomquistMs. Antoinette R. BoeckerMr. and Mrs. Larry BoisleyMr. and Mrs. Lynn BooneMs. Gloria BouknightLavinia P. and Stephen Lyle BoydBP America Inc.Virginia A. and Kenneth E. BroughtonMrs. Syble McBay BryanMs. Barbara E. ButlerCameron International CorporationMr. Rick CanadyMr. and Mrs. L.W. Carpenter IIIMr. John D. Carrara, Jr.Ms. Raquel CedilloChevron Humankind Employee Engagement FundMs. Dorothy L. ClarkMs. Odessa ColeMr. and Mrs. D.P. DampfJudge and Mrs. Harold R. DeMoss, Jr.Mrs. Rosemarie DeVidoMs. Mary S. DixV.K. and Suvasini DoraiMs. Mary E. DoranMs. Laura DowneyRuverna and Robert DunningCarolyn and Russell EganEOG Resources, Inc.Mr. Lee EppesMs. Noel ForemanNan D. and Larry W. ForneyMary and Doug GaskinsMs. Lila Gene GeorgeMs. Virginia P. GidleyMr. and Mrs. Fred L. GormanDina and John GramlBarbara F. and Jerry GreadyMr. James M. GreenMs. Anne M. GudmundsenMrs. Geraldine GurleyMs. Tena HallumMr. Lonnie HawkinsMr. and Mrs. Mark W. HeathcoteMr. Fred J. Heyne IIIHighrise Electrical Technologies, Inc.Mrs. Eleanor M. HillMs. Mary S. HindsLynne and Ward HowardVirginia B. and James A. JacksonMary and Billy JerniganMrs. Charles Elizabeth JonesMr. Sam KamalSandy and Frank KampeMr. Patrick L. KeenGeorgia and Lee KnessMichael F. Koehl, M.D.Dr. and Mrs. Richard B. KrakaurEleanor and George KurtzP.G. and George F.B. Lehman, IIIBeverly and Robert LestzMr. Tommy W. LottMs. Maria L. and Mr. Narciso M. Macia
Ms. Ellen MarinoMr. Robert MatlockAnn and Bill McCullochCarolyn and Myron MessnerJeanne B. and R.A. MichalkMr. and Mrs. Clarence A. MillerMr. and Mrs. John C. MoriniereMs. S.I. MorrisMs. Sydonia MuscatMrs. Pat NoelMs. Joann PalieriMs. Susan ParishDeborah and Bobby R. PateMr. R. Wayne PayneMs. Elizabeth PetcoskyKathy and Rick PlaegerConnie and Roger PlankGrace Ann and Leonard PottsMs. Cindy RaimondDr. Lalitha and Mr. S. Venkat RamanMs. Helen Teresa ReynoldsMrs. Sybil F. RoosPatricia and David RosenbergMs. Dorothy B. RuffingSafeway Inc.Mr. John SchomakerMrs. Rozelle SchultzDr. Herman SchultzMr. Gail J. SerrellMr. Marshall A. ShelsyDr. Joe E. ShirleyMs. Joan SilvermanMs. Annie Bell SmithMr. Patrick E. StepchinskiPaula and James SuchmaMr. Ralph TamperDot and Bill ThompsonMs. Tina TillesMichelene G. and John J. ToomeyAnnette and Patrick WalterMr. and Mrs. Kenneth G. Watler, Sr.Mrs. Sid WeaverMr. Jeffrey H. WeissLloyd A. and Priscilla A. WesselsMonica S. and Thomas W. WhiteCarol and Barry WilsonMr. Joseph C. WinklerRandi and Sam YocumMr. Howard Baker YoungMs. Kimberley Young
Gifts $99 and BelowHoward W. and Karen J. ActonMr. Robert A. AndersonMs. Corinna AndrewsMrs. Katherine BarnesLongina and John BarreraMr. Miguel A. BarriosMr. Ted BergeronSylvia and Hank BertiMr. and Mrs. George F. BobbittMr. James BourneMs. Billie Jo BrackeenBrenda and Ralph BronstropGeorge A. and Molly BrookesMs. Betty BuieMs. Judy ButlerMs. Liana CaciulaRev. Wilfred S. Canning, CSBMr. Claude F. “Bubba” Cannon IIIMr. Eduardo Castro Jr. Ms. Juanita R. ClarkMs. Barbara B. ClarkeMrs. Alice P. CraigMr. Gary CraigMr. V.S. CrittendenMinerva and Fructoso Cuellar
Sibbald A. and Llewellyn O. DowdyMs. Patricia D. DoyleCecilia and Bonimar DucoElizabeth D. and Stefan EdwardsMs. Vera N. EllisMr. Richard E. FlanneryMr. Ruben E. FloresMr. and Mrs. Ernesto Flores, Sr.Dr. John J. Fraser, Jr.Ms. Kathleen A. FriskMs. Carmen Garcia Rev. and Mrs. Oscar GonzalesMr. Thomas G. Gready, IIIJoyce and Dennis GreggMs. Ruth D. GuestMr. James M. HamlinGeneva and George HarrellMs. Failure HendersonMs. Maria Ysabel HernandezBarbara and James HumlickMs. Marcia JacksonRebecca S. and Tom JayMrs. Deborah JosephMr. and Mrs. Dan KessnerMr. Philip KochHenriette and Henry KrauseLynette and Johnnie KuderJohanna and Dennis LesterMs. Nan H. LovejoyMs. Evelyn J. LundeNancy C. and Peter R. MacRobertsMs. Marianne MartinMs. Margaret MihaloMs. Millie L. MitchellGloria T. and George J. MundineMr. and Mrs. Earl G. NewmanMary and Daniel O’ConnorDr. John C. O’LearyMrs. Carlita A. OliveMs. Leticia A. OrozcoBobbye and Andrew ParsonsMr. Al PasekMs. Cathy PatrickMr. Kenneth PaxsonMr. and Mrs. John F. PearceMr. Adrian PiperiMrs. Delores QuinDolores Cisneros and Jose L. RamirezMr. James R. RamseyMs. Mary L. Roberts Ms. Patricia J. RobinJames and Claudette Rodgers FoundationTina and Tony RojasMs. Mary Jo RollinsMs. Mary Ann ScardinoMr. Kevin M. SchirmerMs. Dessie Rae ShadowensMs. Olga ShimekJinny Sisson and Will MazeMs. Patricia M. SmithMr. William Kirk SmithMs. Catherine D. SmithLinda and Bill SteinerCarole and James SydowMr. and Mrs. John E. Tant IIIMr. John E. ThamesMr. and Mrs. Richard S. ThomasMs. Judy E. TraweekMr. Frank B. ValouchMs. Mary Helen WhitlowMs. Sharon WidenerMs. Olive WilliamsThe Williams Companies, Inc.Ms. L. Darlene WiltzJoan and Roy WoodMr. Herbert Young
IN MEMORY OFMrs. Clara AndreasonMs. Michelle Loftin BronstropLelo CalhounMr. Marty CardenMr. Jesus ColchadoSusana CordouaMrs. Millie DampfC.R. EdwardsMr. Humberto GonzalezPedro HaroMr. John L. JayWaldo JohnsonMs. Janie McSwain JohnsonMr. Adrian JovelMr. Lee KrakaurMr. Greg R. LanierMr. Antonio LopezMr. John LovejoyMs. Mildred Mitchell NietmannMs. Tommie Jo MizeY. Burt OliveBetty PryseMs. Rachel Ann RampyMs. Lupita RomeroDr. Robert H. StewartMr. John E. Tant IVMr. Ronald Traylor
IN HONOR OFJeffrey B. Arnoult, MD, FACSB.T. Atkinson and Jessica Michael A. Bloome MD, FACSIna Bonner Ms. Lindsey Butler and Mr. Marshall Fenton John D. Goosey, MDLindsey D. Harris, MD, FACSKevin Y. Jong, MDRichard L. Kimbrough, MD, FACSJeffrey D. Lanier, MD, FACSBailey L. Lee, MDJohn M. Lim, MD, FACSWilliam H. Quayle, MDWilliam Colby Stewart, MD, FACSMr. Thomas L. Titus Ms. Lanier Whilden Susan E. Wittenberg, MDStewart L. Zuckerbrod, MD
VISIONARIESGifts $1000 and AboveThe Brown Foundation, Inc.Harry S. and Isabel C. Cameron FoundationAndrew Delaney FoundationMs. Johnette DodsonDr. and Mrs. Steven H. DunnThe Ellwood FoundationThe Fondren FoundationFridley Family Fund/ Mr. Dale L. FridleyFaye and Carl GregoryMr. James L. HamiltonMargene and Bill LloydMr. Calvin C. Mann, Jr.John P. McGovern FoundationShell Oil Company Foundation Matching Gifts
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS Gifts made from May 1, 2014 to October 31. 2014.
Wegener’s granulomatosis (VEG-eh-nerz gran-u-loe-muh-TOE-sis) is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation of your blood vessels. This inflammation restricts blood flow to various organs. Wegener’s granulomatosis, which is also called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), often affects your kidneys, lungs and upper respiratory tract. The restricted blood flow to these organs can damage them.
Wegener’s can affect other organs, but this isn’t as common, and generally isn’t as serious. Wegener’s granulomatosis also produces a type of inflammatory tissue known as a granuloma that’s found around the blood vessels. Granulomas can destroy normal tissue. There is no known cause for Wegener’s granulomatosis. Early diagnosis and treatment of Wegener’s granulomatosis may lead to a full recovery. Without treatment, Wegener’s granulomatosis can be fatal, most commonly from kidney failure.
Signs and symptoms of Wegener’s granulomatosis may develop suddenly or over several months. The first Wegener’s granulomatosis symptoms usually involve areas of your respiratory tract, such as your sinuses, throat or lungs. However, the condition often worsens rapidly, affecting blood vessels and the organs they supply, such as the kidneys. Signs and symptoms affecting the eye may include: Eye redness, burning or pain.
The cause of Wegener’s granulomatosis is unknown. It appears to develop after an initial inflammation-causing event triggers an abnormal reaction from your immune system. The combination of these events can lead to inflamed, constricted blood vessels and harmful inflammatory tissue masses (granulomas). The triggering event may be an infection, but no specific infection has been identified as the cause.
Wegener’s granulomatosis can begin at any age, but it most often starts in middle age, with an average onset between 40 and 65.
Source: Adapted from the MayoClinic.com article (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wegeners-granulomatosis/basics/definition/con-20028113) © Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.
M I S S I O NHouston Eye Associates Foundation is committed to preserving and restoring sight with comprehensive eye care surgeries, medications, and ancillary services for individuals in financial hardship; and supporting education and research initiatives for the benefit of the community.
7155 Old Katy Road, Suite N100 • Houston, Texas 77024 Phone: 713-558-8740 • Fax: 713-395-1666
MEDICALCORNER
YOU SHOP. AMAZON GIVES.Are you an Amazon.com shopper? If so, your purchase can help support the Houston Eye Associates Foundation. Log onto http://smile.amazon.com/ch/76-0046317 and select Houston Eye Associates Foundation as the beneficiary organization and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases whenever you shop through AmazonSmile.com. All the products, prices and services remain the same as through the Amazon.com you know.
The VisionHOUSTON EYE ASSOCIATES FOUNDATION
NEWSLETTER
FALL 2014
PATIENT’S MEDICAL CONDITION DISCOVERED THROUGH HER EYES
HEA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preserving and restoring vision to working poor adults and children on the verge of losing their eyesight by providing complete medical and surgical eye care services at no cost. Physicians and medical professionals donate their office time and surgical services while the HEA Foundation pays for the surgical center fees, vision-saving medications, ocular prosthetics, cornea tissue and any other ancillary service required for restored vision.
Deborah Stinson suffered fromchronic eye pain for more thanten years from a lesion affectingthe sclera* beneath her uppereyelid. “I received manydifferent treatments, injections,medications, and services formy eye. My doctors could notresolve the problem. Luckily,I was insured at the time and,for the last three years, received
treatment from uveitis specialist Dr. Susan Wittenbergto help control the pain and explore its cause.”
Two years ago, Ms. Stinson’s employer sold thecompany, and Ms. Stinson lost both her job and herinsurance coverage. “I maintained my extendedinsurance coverage until I could no longer afford it.Just as my insurance coverage lapsed, the pain andgrowth under my eyelid returned,” she stated.
She learned about the HEAFoundation from Dr. Wittenberg and her staff, and applied for Foundation assistance. Shequalified for assistance and wasable to resume treatment.
Ms. Stinson’s condition deteriorated despite ongoingtreatment, and Dr. Wittenberg consulted withDr. Mark Vital (corneal specialist) and Dr. CarlosGonzales (adult strabismus specialist) for surgicalevaluation and excision of the lesion. The tissuebiopsy was suggestive of an atypical presentation ofWegener’s disease (see Medical Corner).
“I am so grateful to the HEA Foundation and to myHEA physicians who not only took the time to
provide me with medical and surgical services but who were interested and concerned enough to send my cultures and slides to a lab to help identify the medical problem that caused the overgrowth of tissue over my eye muscles and resulted in my chronic eye pain.”
“I recall the physicians saying that they wanted topreserve my eyeball first and foremost and that theywould then preserve my vision later. I was devastatedto hear this statement. My vision was, thankfully, notcompromised.” “Three committed physicians who donated theiroffice time and surgical services were able to identifymy rare and complex condition. I may need ongoingimmunosuppressive therapy. I am blessed that theHEA Foundation, its physicians, and its donors wereable to help me during this difficult time in mylife when I was between jobs and had no insurancecoverage.”
Ms. Stinson is now employed as a Training Administrator for a local company. She receives medical insurance coverage through her employer and no longer requires the HEA Foundation’s assistance.
* Sclera is the white of the eye, the opaque, fibrous, protective, outer layer of the eye containing collagen and elastic fiber.
I received many different treatments…My doctors could not resolve the problem.
My vision was, thankfully, not compromised.
VISIONARIES (continued)
Gifts $100-$999Mr. RW AbercrombieMs. Mary P. AdkinsAIG Matching Grants ProgramDr. Seva and Mr. John AnaipakosMr. Lawrence W. AndersonMr. Mohammed AnsariMr. and Mrs. Jose J. Arias and FamilyMs. Delia AtteberyDr. Carol J. BakerMr. Edward BauerleDrs. Gloria and Wiley BilesJoan Melasky and Karl E. BlomquistMs. Antoinette R. BoeckerMr. and Mrs. Larry BoisleyMr. and Mrs. Lynn BooneMs. Gloria BouknightLavinia P. and Stephen Lyle BoydBP America Inc.Virginia A. and Kenneth E. BroughtonMrs. Syble McBay BryanMs. Barbara E. ButlerCameron International CorporationMr. Rick CanadyMr. and Mrs. L.W. Carpenter IIIMr. John D. Carrara, Jr.Ms. Raquel CedilloChevron Humankind Employee Engagement FundMs. Dorothy L. ClarkMs. Odessa ColeMr. and Mrs. D.P. DampfJudge and Mrs. Harold R. DeMoss, Jr.Mrs. Rosemarie DeVidoMs. Mary S. DixV.K. and Suvasini DoraiMs. Mary E. DoranMs. Laura DowneyRuverna and Robert DunningCarolyn and Russell EganEOG Resources, Inc.Mr. Lee EppesMs. Noel ForemanNan D. and Larry W. ForneyMary and Doug GaskinsMs. Lila Gene GeorgeMs. Virginia P. GidleyMr. and Mrs. Fred L. GormanDina and John GramlBarbara F. and Jerry GreadyMr. James M. GreenMs. Anne M. GudmundsenMrs. Geraldine GurleyMs. Tena HallumMr. Lonnie HawkinsMr. and Mrs. Mark W. HeathcoteMr. Fred J. Heyne IIIHighrise Electrical Technologies, Inc.Mrs. Eleanor M. HillMs. Mary S. HindsLynne and Ward HowardVirginia B. and James A. JacksonMary and Billy JerniganMrs. Charles Elizabeth JonesMr. Sam KamalSandy and Frank KampeMr. Patrick L. KeenGeorgia and Lee KnessMichael F. Koehl, M.D.Dr. and Mrs. Richard B. KrakaurEleanor and George KurtzP.G. and George F.B. Lehman, IIIBeverly and Robert LestzMr. Tommy W. LottMs. Maria L. and Mr. Narciso M. Macia
Ms. Ellen MarinoMr. Robert MatlockAnn and Bill McCullochCarolyn and Myron MessnerJeanne B. and R.A. MichalkMr. and Mrs. Clarence A. MillerMr. and Mrs. John C. MoriniereMs. S.I. MorrisMs. Sydonia MuscatMrs. Pat NoelMs. Joann PalieriMs. Susan ParishDeborah and Bobby R. PateMr. R. Wayne PayneMs. Elizabeth PetcoskyKathy and Rick PlaegerConnie and Roger PlankGrace Ann and Leonard PottsMs. Cindy RaimondDr. Lalitha and Mr. S. Venkat RamanMs. Helen Teresa ReynoldsMrs. Sybil F. RoosPatricia and David RosenbergMs. Dorothy B. RuffingSafeway Inc.Mr. John SchomakerMrs. Rozelle SchultzDr. Herman SchultzMr. Gail J. SerrellMr. Marshall A. ShelsyDr. Joe E. ShirleyMs. Joan SilvermanMs. Annie Bell SmithMr. Patrick E. StepchinskiPaula and James SuchmaMr. Ralph TamperDot and Bill ThompsonMs. Tina TillesMichelene G. and John J. ToomeyAnnette and Patrick WalterMr. and Mrs. Kenneth G. Watler, Sr.Mrs. Sid WeaverMr. Jeffrey H. WeissLloyd A. and Priscilla A. WesselsMonica S. and Thomas W. WhiteCarol and Barry WilsonMr. Joseph C. WinklerRandi and Sam YocumMr. Howard Baker YoungMs. Kimberley Young
Gifts $99 and BelowHoward W. and Karen J. ActonMr. Robert A. AndersonMs. Corinna AndrewsMrs. Katherine BarnesLongina and John BarreraMr. Miguel A. BarriosMr. Ted BergeronSylvia and Hank BertiMr. and Mrs. George F. BobbittMr. James BourneMs. Billie Jo BrackeenBrenda and Ralph BronstropGeorge A. and Molly BrookesMs. Betty BuieMs. Judy ButlerMs. Liana CaciulaRev. Wilfred S. Canning, CSBMr. Claude F. “Bubba” Cannon IIIMr. Eduardo Castro Jr. Ms. Juanita R. ClarkMs. Barbara B. ClarkeMrs. Alice P. CraigMr. Gary CraigMr. V.S. CrittendenMinerva and Fructoso Cuellar
Sibbald A. and Llewellyn O. DowdyMs. Patricia D. DoyleCecilia and Bonimar DucoElizabeth D. and Stefan EdwardsMs. Vera N. EllisMr. Richard E. FlanneryMr. Ruben E. FloresMr. and Mrs. Ernesto Flores, Sr.Dr. John J. Fraser, Jr.Ms. Kathleen A. FriskMs. Carmen Garcia Rev. and Mrs. Oscar GonzalesMr. Thomas G. Gready, IIIJoyce and Dennis GreggMs. Ruth D. GuestMr. James M. HamlinGeneva and George HarrellMs. Failure HendersonMs. Maria Ysabel HernandezBarbara and James HumlickMs. Marcia JacksonRebecca S. and Tom JayMrs. Deborah JosephMr. and Mrs. Dan KessnerMr. Philip KochHenriette and Henry KrauseLynette and Johnnie KuderJohanna and Dennis LesterMs. Nan H. LovejoyMs. Evelyn J. LundeNancy C. and Peter R. MacRobertsMs. Marianne MartinMs. Margaret MihaloMs. Millie L. MitchellGloria T. and George J. MundineMr. and Mrs. Earl G. NewmanMary and Daniel O’ConnorDr. John C. O’LearyMrs. Carlita A. OliveMs. Leticia A. OrozcoBobbye and Andrew ParsonsMr. Al PasekMs. Cathy PatrickMr. Kenneth PaxsonMr. and Mrs. John F. PearceMr. Adrian PiperiMrs. Delores QuinDolores Cisneros and Jose L. RamirezMr. James R. RamseyMs. Mary L. Roberts Ms. Patricia J. RobinJames and Claudette Rodgers FoundationTina and Tony RojasMs. Mary Jo RollinsMs. Mary Ann ScardinoMr. Kevin M. SchirmerMs. Dessie Rae ShadowensMs. Olga ShimekJinny Sisson and Will MazeMs. Patricia M. SmithMr. William Kirk SmithMs. Catherine D. SmithLinda and Bill SteinerCarole and James SydowMr. and Mrs. John E. Tant IIIMr. John E. ThamesMr. and Mrs. Richard S. ThomasMs. Judy E. TraweekMr. Frank B. ValouchMs. Mary Helen WhitlowMs. Sharon WidenerMs. Olive WilliamsThe Williams Companies, Inc.Ms. L. Darlene WiltzJoan and Roy WoodMr. Herbert Young
IN MEMORY OFMrs. Clara AndreasonMs. Michelle Loftin BronstropLelo CalhounMr. Marty CardenMr. Jesus ColchadoSusana CordouaMrs. Millie DampfC.R. EdwardsMr. Humberto GonzalezPedro HaroMr. John L. JayWaldo JohnsonMs. Janie McSwain JohnsonMr. Adrian JovelMr. Lee KrakaurMr. Greg R. LanierMr. Antonio LopezMr. John LovejoyMs. Mildred Mitchell NietmannMs. Tommie Jo MizeY. Burt OliveBetty PryseMs. Rachel Ann RampyMs. Lupita RomeroDr. Robert H. StewartMr. John E. Tant IVMr. Ronald Traylor
IN HONOR OFJeffrey B. Arnoult, MD, FACSB.T. Atkinson and Jessica Michael A. Bloome MD, FACSIna Bonner Ms. Lindsey Butler and Mr. Marshall Fenton John D. Goosey, MDLindsey D. Harris, MD, FACSKevin Y. Jong, MDRichard L. Kimbrough, MD, FACSJeffrey D. Lanier, MD, FACSBailey L. Lee, MDJohn M. Lim, MD, FACSWilliam H. Quayle, MDWilliam Colby Stewart, MD, FACSMr. Thomas L. Titus Ms. Lanier Whilden Susan E. Wittenberg, MDStewart L. Zuckerbrod, MD
VISIONARIESGifts $1000 and AboveThe Brown Foundation, Inc.Harry S. and Isabel C. Cameron FoundationAndrew Delaney FoundationMs. Johnette DodsonDr. and Mrs. Steven H. DunnThe Ellwood FoundationThe Fondren FoundationFridley Family Fund/ Mr. Dale L. FridleyFaye and Carl GregoryMr. James L. HamiltonMargene and Bill LloydMr. Calvin C. Mann, Jr.John P. McGovern FoundationShell Oil Company Foundation Matching Gifts
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS Gifts made from May 1, 2014 to October 31. 2014.
