THE LOOK OF BLINDNESS

For over the past decade Dr. Jeff Rutgard of La Jolla, CA has made it his mission to serve the poor in Asia, South America, Mexico, Africa, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Pacific Islands, Caribbean, and Turkey. Known as the "Eye Ambassador," Dr. Jeff has done over 100 missions dedicating his life to bringing hope to the blind poor. The people he cares for have different heritages, religions, are of different races, and continents but have a common denominator, the feeling hopeless most having been blind for 5-20 years. Dr. Rutgard gives all of his skills freely to the poor worldwide asking for nothing in return. "A smile and a hug is more than enough payment," says the eye ambassador, Jeff Rutgard, MD.

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"My goal is to help as many people in my lifetime as I can who need the help," Dr. Jeff Rutgard, an ophthalmologist based in California, said. Rutgard also teaches classes in his specialty on a pro bono basis as Loma Linda University in California, near La Jolla.

The most remarkable American Goodwill Eye Ambassador, Dr. Jeff has done more charity eye examinations and eye surgeries in more countries, implanting intra-ocular lenses to restore vision to the blind than any other MD or Eye Surgeon on the planet! He is the definition of a true humanitarian.

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Dr. Jeff performs a suture-less eye surgical technique that allows patients with the very worst of cataracts to have surgery in any country, in the most remotest of locations and end up with their sight being restored. He does this same remarkable surgery in only a few minutes.

Dr. Rutgard of La Jolla, CA is constantly teaching, something he truly enjoys. He trains U.S. surgeons and doctors in developing countries, alike. Dr. Jeff is not paid for his humanitarian work or for teaching other eye doctors surgical techniques. The eye ambassador is on a mission, only asking of those he trains that they will use this new knowledge to assist the blind and poor. Rutgard techniques he has taught all over the world.

You might meet Dr. Jeff Rutgard at SEE International, or at the Hawaiian Eye Meeting, or in some place way "off the beaten path" teaching local ophthalmologists. Run fast, because you must keep up. On his visits, he tries to see as many patients in a day as humanly possible. That he demands of himself. He wants to leave no one, still needing care.

According to the World Health Organization, age related cataracts are responsible for 48% of world blindness. This translates to about 18 million people and although cataracts can be alleviated by surgery, in many poor countries the availability of this operation is dreadfully inadequate. iAMBASSADOR.org

Cataract surgery in developing countries is typically unobtainable for the poor both financially and frequently, geographically as well. The poor in many parts of the world live in rural areas far from the cities where in some cases medical care is available but in many instances the distance to travel by bus, boat, horseback, or walking is too difficult or costly for the blind and once there, the blind and a family member have to afford a place to stay overnight. These patients and family must also find food while they wait in line to see the doctor at the clinic.

From Dr. Rutgard's experience, after examination, if the clinic decides surgery can be done, the blind patient is sent home. Because of the long wait list, this patient is asked to return months later to have the surgery, creating an unreasonable financial burden for the patient and the family member who must find the money and return again, this time for surgery.

Thus millions of impoverished gradually lose their vision from progressing cataracts until blindness becomes a way of life. Month, years and even decades go by, while the poor and blind suffer in darkness. The unrealized suffering involves an additional family member who is designated to stay with the blind relative assisting with basic hygiene, feeding and making sure he/she don't stumble and fall.

You may not realize, but the blindness of one family member results in two family members needing to eat, but neither are available to work and earn the stipend necessary to buy food. The choices are, either they both go hungry, or other family members must give up some of their already limited food to share with the two who could not work that day.

In a recent trip to a clinic in Fiji, it was common for patients come from as far as a two-day trek by boat, bus, and walking. Rutgard and team fed the patients 3 meals a day, gave them mattresses and clean linens to sleep. Treating the poor with dignity and respect while their sight is restored is something Rutgard's group demands. Serving others, especially those who have looked hopelessness in the eye, is a true blessing for Dr. Jeff and his team of volunteers.

"JOIN ME ON A MISSION TO SOMEPLACE UNIQUE! If you can donate your time and skills to helping in the mission field join in. If you cannot, please consider donating. Be sure and sign in below and give me a short note. I'd love to hear from you!"

A favorite Dr. Jeff Rutgard patient from Tavevuni

If you would like to go on a mission and do some really great, rewarding, life-altering work (yours and theirs), Go to iAMBASSADOR.org and sign up. The iambassador needs you!