FAIRFAX, Va.—The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation will celebrate its 4th annual National Sight Week from Oct. 20 to 26. The goal is to increase the number of charitable cataract surgeries and raise overall awareness of the need for the Operation Sight program. National Sight Week is a weeklong celebration of volunteerism, during which members of the ASCRS Foundation’s Operation Sight Network are encouraged to contribute one or more charitable cataract surgeries in their own communities.

The ASCRS Foundation works to match disadvantaged, eligible patients with volunteer surgeons, and provides the administrative support needed to facilitate the surgery.

Operation Sight is the ASCRS Foundation’s U.S.-based charitable cataract surgery program. It involves a nationwide network of ASCRS volunteer surgeons and staff members who provide care to those unable to access or afford surgery on their own. Since its launch in late 2014, Operation Sight has delivered over 3,700 free surgeries.

In an effort to expand the reach of Operation Sight and address the backlog of needy cataract patients across the U.S., the ASCRS Foundation is encouraging surgeons to join the Operation Sight network. Foundation staff will match new and returning volunteers with eligible patients during National Sight Week. Surgeons, or practices, interested in volunteering through Operation Sight can visit ascrsfoundaiton.org/osvolunteer. There is no minimum number of cases required to participate.

Jeffrey Whitman, MD, Operation Sight volunteer surgeon said, “Operation Sight—for me as a physician—is all about giving back to those whose poor eye sight prevent them from doing their jobs, or who do not have money or insurance to help. This program has not only allowed us to help patients get back on their feet with better vision, but it has had a positive effect on my staff—in the clinic and in the ambulatory surgery center. Everyone wants to be part of doing this good deed.”

For more information about Operation Sight and National Sight Week, visit ascrsfoundation.org/nationalsightweek. https://ascrsfoundation.org/nationalsightweek