Media Releases

NEWS RELEASE
Monday, June 6th, 2005

Campaign Success leads to Clinic Opening at Sydenham

WALLACEBURG -- With thanks to hundreds of donors, “The Future’s in Sight!” Exciting new opportunities in vision care are beginning in Chatham-Kent.

Friday afternoon, the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance declared the campaign complete, having generated over $700,000 towards growth of local Ophthalmology services and $200,000 towards the establishment of an endowment fund.

Foundation Chair, Fraser Burgess said, “We are most grateful to our community for supporting this campaign in raising this amount of money needed to equip Clinics at both the Sydenham and Chatham campuses. This Centre of Eye Care Excellence will be of benefit to all residents in the Municipality.”

He especially acknowledged the Eyes Right Foundation for their donation of $120,000 toward the campaign. Peter Geene, Chair of District A-1 Lions Eyes Right Foundation was on hand with Foundation Executive Director, Michele Grzebien to unveil a recognition plaque in their honour. Their donation supported the purchase of an intravenous flouroscein angiography (IVFA) unit for the Chatham campus. It produces digital images of blood flow in the eye, which is important in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of ophthalmologic conditions. The Alliance estimates that presently 20-30 local people travel to London to access IVFA – but now care can be provided ‘closer to home’.

Amongst other lead donors to the campaign were the Helping Hands Auxiliary with a gift of $120,000; Sharon Blok-Andersen with a gift of $200,000; the Ontario Provincial Command Branches and Ladies’ Auxiliaries Charitable Foundation with a gift of $49,000; and Francis Denomy, with a gift of $54,000.

As a result of the campaign’s success, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance will offer improved Ophthalmology services at its campuses in Chatham and Wallaceburg. Friday marked the official opening of the District A-1 Lions Family Eye Care Centre at Sydenham Campus. According to Chief of Ophthalmology, Dr. Robert McMahon, the local Clinic, with fully-equipped examination and procedure rooms, will provide assessment and treatment for up to 14 patients each week.*

New equipment purchases with donated funds include a high power operating microscope for Ambulatory Care for surgery on eyes; an Ophthalmic Cryopexy Unit used to re-attach and seal detached retinas and in treating surface cancer; bipolar cautery unit, used to seal wounds external to the eye after surgery and Ophthalmologic tools and instruments.

At Friday’s celebration, Dr. McMahon introduced Chatham-Kent’s newest Ophthalmologist, Dr. Christopher Anjema. Dr. Anjema completed Medicine in 1999 and Ophthalmology training in 2004, both at the University of Western Ontario. He completed a combined Subspecialty Fellowship in Oculoplastic Reconstructive Surgery and Oculofacial Esthetic Surgery at Emory University and Paces Plastic Surgery with world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Clinton McCord Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Anjema is an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Western Ontario and teaches medical students and residents. Dr. Anjema is both a Cataract Surgeon and a Subspecialty Oculoplastic Surgeon. He hopes to attract Medical Residents from the Ivey Eye Institute in London to CKHA; and to offer public educational sessions on vision care and treatment options.

According to Doctors McMahon and Anjema, Chatham-Kent residents’ vision is threatened by many factors related to disease, environment and lifestyle. Some of the more dangerous threats include:

Macular Degeneration: the leading cause of vision loss in North America for those over 55 years of age. Caused by leaking blood vessels, early diagnosis and treament is critical for the treatable, “wet” form of the disease.

Cataracts: the second leading cause of vision loss among those over 55 years. Removal of cataracts and replacement of the clouded natural lens with a flexible lens is the common treatment.

Glaucoma: the third leading cause of blindness in those over 55. Early detection and treatment are crucial to avoiding irreversible damage to the optic nerve.

Diabetic Retinopathy: deterioration in the retina is caused by changes in retinal circulation associated with Diabetes. Untreated, this condition may lead to detached retinas and glaucoma. Dr. Anjema will talk on this subject at a free public forum hosted by the Canadian Diabetes Association and CNIB on June 8th from 7-9pm at St. Clair College. Pre-registration is required by calling 351-6020.

Cancer: of the eyelid or of the eye socket can result in loss of vision or worse. Surgical removal, reconstruction and topical chemotherapy can save vision and lives.

Strabismus (‘Lazy Eye’ Syndrome): left untreated it can result in a life-long vision loss.

Media Contacts:
For campaign information please contact:
Michele Grzebien, Executive Director
Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
519-380-2859

For Clinic information please contact:
Dr. McMahon or Dr. Anjema
Ophthalmologists
519-354-4700

* Patients must be referred to an Ophthalmologist by either a family physician or Optometrist