AOA Foundation makes emergency appeal for doctors, students in Helene-ravaged states

To help meet the needs of doctors of optometry and optometric students, The AOA Foundation issued an emergency appeal on Sept. 30 for donations to its Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief—which has garnered, since Monday’s launch, about $112,000 in contributions from AOA members—many of the gifts coming from states where Helene struck. The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety and AOAExcel® each donated $50,000 to The AOA Foundation to aid in the recovery. The foundation also announced that it was taking applications from doctors and students impacted.

The historic storm wrought its devastation primarily across six states, from Florida to Tennessee.

Need is expected to be great given the widespread devastation. Homes and whole communities were washed away. The list of lives lost grows, and there are untold missing.

Said AOA Foundation President Belinda R. Starkey, O.D., in an urgent appeal Oct. 1: “As I am sure all of you know, there is a huge wake (of destruction) left behind Hurricane Helene. There are many communities, practices and patients who have been horrifically impacted by this storm. We want to make sure everyone knows that there are funds available through Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief.”

Digging out

The Raleigh-based North Carolina Optometric Society (NCOS) continues to try to get a handle on the extent of the catastrophe.

“We currently do not yet know the breadth of the impact on practices and homes of our beloved optometry community here in North Carolina,” says Alyssa Barkley, executive director of NCOS.

“Communication has been difficult with all infrastructure compromised—none to somewhat spotty internet and cell service depending on location, no power, no water, limited gasoline, and sewage treatment systems have been demolished.”

NCOS has heard “sporadically” from some members who have provided quick updates. Members able to reach out report:

• They are safe.
• They have damage to their homes.
• It has been hard to get out to see their practices, given that roads are washed away, covered by trees, mudslides and other debris.
• Some were lucky to evacuate before the roads became impassable.
• Travel to the western part of the state was limited.

NCOS is providing an online relief list of resources for practices.

“We know that there is a tremendously long and difficult road to recovery for the entire community of western North Carolina,” Barkley says.

Support the AOA Foundation and Helene victims

Disasters are unpredictable and life-altering, but The AOA Foundation is determined to ensure OFDR is always ready to help doctors of optometry, as well as optometry students, overcome challenging times. Your support helps the foundation support programs such as OFDR. Here's how you can support OFDR or find grant information:

• Donate to the AOA Foundation. Help make certain that OFDR funds are available for colleagues affected by disasters.
• Submit an OFDR application. Recently affected by a disaster? Learn more about grant criteria and complete the OFDR application and Form W-9. 

Since 2005, when flooding from Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, OFDR has awarded more than $1.4 million to doctors of optometry and students impacted by natural disasters to restore patient care. OFDR provides financial support with an aim toward helping cover necessary expenses and expediting doctors’ ability to reopen their practices to serve their patients. Those disasters include—but are not limited to—hurricanes, tornadoes, civil unrest, earthquakes, floods and fires. Grants range between $250 to $4,000. Generous donations are made by individual doctors of optometry as well as industry supporters.

Amid devastation, doctors offer care

The Georgia Optometric Association (GOA) issued a consumer alert ahead of Helene, urging the public to protect its vision and follow flood-related eye care precautions.

“In addition to putting lives at risk, flood waters can contain a whole host of unexpected microorganisms that put vision at risk,” said Nadine Humen Forche, O.D., GOA president. “Flooding can cause an increase in the incidence of water-borne pathogens—including amoeba, parasites, bacteria and viruses—that can be very dangerous to the eye and may lead to infections, other complications and even loss of sight.”

Among the GOA recommendations for care, especially to contact lens wearer:

• Avoid contact with floodwaters. If contact cannot be avoided, remove contact lenses prior to exposure to water. If contact lenses must stay in, wear goggles.
• Don't assume treated tap water is safe. Avoid using tap water to wash or store contact lenses or contact lens cases.
• Always wash and dry hands before touching the eye or handling contact lenses. Use hand disinfectant frequently.
• Use only sterile products recommended by your optometrist to clean and disinfect lenses. Saline solution and rewetting drops are not designed to disinfect lenses.

Symptoms to watch for? Red and irritated eyes lasting for an unusually long period of time after lens removal; pain in and around the eyes especially if it progressively worsens; increased sensitivity to light; sudden blurred or fuzzy vision; and excessive eye tearing or discharge.

Waiting for word

At the Tennessee Association of Optometry Physicians (TAOP), staff have sent out “feelers” to its members. So far, and it’s early, the society has not heard word yet from members, says Patience Long, TAOP executive director. TAOP’s 123rd annual convention is scheduled for Oct.10-13 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Plans for the conference are proceeding.

In North Carolina, where the affiliate’s office is far east of the devastation, NCOS staff are safe but working with members to apply for assistance from OFDR.

“This truly is the most devastating flood for our communities,” Barkley says.  “Complete towns have been demolished.

“Until our members can get into their practices and are able to effectively communicate their needs, we won't be sure what is most useful until then.”

Ten doctors had applied for OFDR funds as of Wednesday afternoon. They reported being without electricity, cell service and water for days, a tree through a roof and water damage to homes. Blocked roads were preventing them from reaching their practices and making a full assessment of the damage.