Distance to eye doctors is too far, patient says

Mercedes Benoit-penney has real concerns about how eye surgery has become so complicated in western Newfoundland and is especially concerned for seniors in the area.

Because she lives in Aguathuna on the Port au Port Peninsula, it’s close to a two-hour drive one way for both her and her husband, Bill Penney, who both have glaucoma, to have their eyes worked on in Corner Brook.

She said as seniors whose children have left the province, luckily both of them can still drive, and they take each other to ophthalmologist appointments.

Since their sight is in danger of deteriorating, their visits fall within the urgent category.

“Isn’t any eye affliction a matter of urgency and enough to warrant a visit in a timely manner?” Benoit-penney asked.

She said she has had appointments changed to a later date and postponed until the weather makes is safer to get to her multiple checkups that will be required after her cataract and glaucoma surgery.

Benoit-penney said if that surgery was available in Stephenville, she could avail of the procedure earlier, ensuring a timelier and healthier outcome.

She said the first ophthalmologist to treat her left the clinic in the last year and she thanks God he was replaced.

Benoit-penney said even though Dr. Justin French is not her eye doctor, if he also leaves, hundreds of people will be at risk.

“You don’t have to be a genius to figure out the problem. What was once done in one trip is now being spread over two different days to better serve those who travel the greater distances,” she said.