National Vision General Manager Makes a Difference in Guatemala
Robert Tryon in Guatemala.
General Manager Robert Tryon, from our Princeton, New Jersey Vision Center (brought to you by Walmart) recently traveled back to Taxisco, Guatemala with readers and sunglasses in tow to share with community residents in need. Robert had been there the year before, the only person from the medical mission to dispense glasses, and says:
“The first time around I hadn’t realized how important eyeglasses were. You can pick up a pair of readers at any local grocery store here, but there, you’re meeting people with a lot of vision needs [and] eye exams are hard to come by. It is amazing what we take for granted.”
This time, Robert knew what to expect. Last year’s philanthropic efforts made such an impact that the local government stepped in to lend their support. The mayor and minister of health attended, and had people organized and waiting in line at the local schools.
Over the course of the week, Robert screened approximately 300-360 locals. In fact, the eyeglass dispensary was often more popular than medical services.
Jennifer with her new glasses.
Robert thought, “…it might be because it was an immediate aide they could take home with them or simply that basic eye care is available but not affordable.” He followed by saying, “There are conditions where the light in homes are terrible. Some homes have no electricity and people read by candle-light – it’s a wonderful thing to help them.”
Two screenings stand out in Robert’s mind, bringing home the tremendous impact this kind of work can have on someone’s life.
The first is the story of Jennifer. She is a young 13 year-old girl who had first been through triage complaining of headaches. “A doctor had given me a heads up on her condition. He suspected her headaches were a result of a visual impairment. I thought perhaps plus powers might help for distance. I gave her the lowest 1.25+ and her 20/40 vision went to 20/20.”
Hector waiting to be seen.
The second story, and perhaps most dramatic, is that of 80-year-old Hector. The townspeople would say, “He has no vision. He has no vision.” Robert just assumed Hector was blind and wasn’t sure what he could do for him. The question became, does he have any response to light? “With the help of the translator we discovered he was able to see shadows. We gave him the strongest readers we had, which were the 3.25+. He was able to read the bigger lines…here is this man who has no sight at all [and] can now see something when he left.”
Thanks to our partnership with Restoring Vision, and Associates like Robert, we are able to make a difference in many lives.
Safaa Sammander
Latest posts by Safaa Sammander (see all)
- 2018 Boys and Girls Club National Conference - June 27, 2018
- Peruvian Fisherman and Popular Shaman Given the Gift of Sight - April 18, 2018
- Rockin’ For New Eyes on St. Patty’s Day 2018 - April 11, 2018
