A Plainview doctor recently traveled to the Dominican Republic to provide some much-needed eye care.
Dr. Joel Kestenbaum, of Optix Family Eyecare in the Woodbury Plaza in Plainview, recently joined the Pujols Family Foundation (PFF), founded by Albert and Deidre Pujols, North America’s most experienced LASIK provider, TLC Laser Eye Centers and a team of nine other eye doctors with thousands of eyeglasses and optometric equipment to treat and prevent eye diseases for more than 2,500 impoverished individuals in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic is home to Pujols, who made his name playing professional baseball in the U.S., first with the St. Louis Cardinals and currently with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Dominican Republic is among the poorest countries in the world with limited to no access to optometric care.
Kestenbaum said the mission opened his eyes to the world beyond his own.
“This mission trip has made me realize that there is a real world out there that needs help from those that can afford to give,” he said. “We all see poverty on TV or read about it in the news. It is few that experience the joy of helping those that need it most. It took me too long to give back as I let life get in the way.”
The largest of its kind, to date, in this part of the world—the 10 eye doctors and their support team spent a week seeing and treating adults and children in need of primary eye care. Dominican citizens walked for miles and waited for hours to take advantage of optometric care.
“I am so happy to have been given the opportunity to use my expertise as an optometrist to make a life-changing difference to those that have no access to this type of care,” said Kestenbaum. “I was extremely impressed with the Pujols Family Foundation’s commitment and have suggested to everyone I’ve spoken with that they make a contribution to this wonderful charity.”
Ben Cook, TLC CEO, said working with the Pujols family opened up doors that would have otherwise remained closed, which enabled the doctors to help the impoverished citizens of the Dominican Republic.
“It was an honor to partner with the Pujols Family Foundation to organize and lead a trip that made a real difference in the lives of people who need it most,” said Cook. “Their leadership and guidance made this trip possible and we are so grateful for that. I am proud of the work we did supporting the mission to improve the standard of living and quality of life for impoverished people in the Dominican Republic through better vision.”
Visit www.optixeyecare.com to learn more about Optix Family Eyecare. For more information on the foundation or to get involved with their important work, visit www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org. Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity International-Southeast (VOSH), VSP Global Eyes of Hope, GO2 Partners, Marchon Eyewear and Office Essentials, Inc., also provided substantial support for this important trip.
Visit www.Facebook.com/tlclasik to see more images and videos from the journey.
