One picture that I’ve attached shows the people waiting outside our clinic for their turn to be tested.  The other picture shows the action inside the clinic.  The patients have their short range vision tested and then their long range vision tested.  Their vision is then tested by two autorefractors.  With this data we then determine what prescription will be most beneficial. Carla then looks for that prescription in our database.  The patients are then tested with their new glasses and have them adjusted to fit.

We helped 83 patients today, to see better. Of thse 83 we referred 5 to see an ophthalmolohist.  I felt particularly sad for one patient.  He was 48 years old (which seems quite young to me) and he went blind a year ago.  His wife led him by the hand into and out of our clinic. We referred him to the Opthalmologist but I’m not very optimistic.  However for every sad one, like this, we help many that are thrilled at their new improved vision.

Den Shannon

Today, Wednesday was quite a productive day for us. We saw 78 patients who now have better vision or, for four, a date with an Ophthalmologist. It was very hot and humid but we seem to become aclimatized quite quickly. We are staying at the Xaragua which provides us the opportunity to swim in the ocean each evening after work, and that is sure appreciated. The pictures that I’ll send today are of two things that you’ll always see at our Haiti clinics.
Den Shannon

The first day of our eyeglass trip is over and it had it’s share of interesting events.

At 9:00am they were deiceing the wings of our plane in Montreal.

At 4:00pm we were walking a half kilometer across the runways at Port-au-Prince airport.

The temperature in Port-au-Prince was about 100 degrees F. and the humidity was 100%.

That was a big contrast in the two airports.

The imigration and customs are still in temporary facilities in the Haiti airport.

On our way to St.Marc we saw earthquake damaged buildings and many tent communities.

I’ve attached a picture of one of the tent cities to this message.

The tent cities seem to be spread over a large area and look like they will be there for a long time.

Tomorrow morning we start to see our patients.
Den Shannon