— Hundreds in remote villages receive first-time vision screening and medical tests

OPTOMETRIST Don Gomes has completed two extensive eyecare outreaches to Region Nine (Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo), where he and a team of local medical professionals travelled into some of the region’s most remote villages, reaching hundreds of residents, many of whom received eyecare for the very first time.

Dr Gomes, licensed (#028), has been practising in Guyana for more than 40 years and operates Schuler & Gomes Optical on Brickdam.

His outreach team included six support staff assigned by the Ministry of Health (MoH): driver Joseph Evans of Haiawa; Community Health Worker Natasha Nieueinkirk; Medical Laboratory Technologist Vianney Henry of Aishalton; Medical Technologist Reshaun Bellamy, who conducted tests such as HbA1c (diabetes), kidney and liver function, thyroid function, lipid profiles and PSAs; and Miss Etwaru, a registered nurse who carried out HPV tests.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that the first outreach exercise began on October 20 and concluded on October 25, 2025. It was a six-day effort focused around Sand Creek and several nearby villages, where a newly constructed hospital served as the primary screening location.

The caretaker of that hospital, Bernard Spencer, ensured the team had the support they needed to carry out the work. Medex Shelly Beresford of Sand Creek Hospital also collaborated closely with Dr Gomes, working late into the night to accommodate every patient.

On one occasion, they examined residents up to 11p.m., made possible through assistance from Michelle George, the head teacher of Karasabai Primary School and its secondary department.

Residents used their MoH-issued healthcare vouchers to receive spectacles and undergo screening. During this outreach, the team visited Sand Creek, Rupunaw, Shiriri, Sawariwau, Katoonarib, Shulinab, Potarinau, Katuur, Baitoo and Parikwarinau.

At Sawariwau and Katoonarib alone, approximately 300 persons in each area had their eyes examined, and several received spectacles.

The team also assessed chronic disease patients and conducted HPV testing. Dr Gomes returned to Georgetown on October 26, having seen a total of 272 patients during the first outreach.

He expressed deep appreciation for his support team, clinic staff and particularly his daughter, Optometrist Cindy Gomes, who travelled from Canada to assist.

The second outreach took place from November 2 to November 6, 2025. During this second visit, the team travelled to Yurong Paru, Rukumuta, Tiperu, Kariabaicru, Koksebai and the extremely remote Taushida, which required the use of two special four-wheel-drive Hilux vehicles to navigate the rugged terrain.

On November 5, they made their way to Tiger Pond and Kaipang, before concluding the outreach at Karasabai Hospital, where they accessed the operating room. Dr Gomes said he hopes to return with surgeons to conduct eye surgeries using the facility. During this second visit, the team saw 112 patients; he spent the night in Lethem before travelling back to Georgetown.

Dr Gomes said both outreaches were successful and that villagers came out early, waited patiently and were grateful for the opportunity to be examined.

He expressed interest in returning to beautify the old windmill in the area, painting and decorating it as a landmark, and also hopes to put up a Christmas tree in Karasabai Village.

He noted that one of the most common conditions observed across Region Nine was pterygium, sometimes known as “surfer’s eye,” a non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva that often extends onto the cornea.

Given the number of patients suffering from this condition, Dr Gomes said it is one of the major reasons he intends to return with a surgical team.