In November 2017, Dr. Jeffery “Jeff” Levenson, a volunteer ophthalmologist and Chief Medical Officer at SEE, gave an illuminating talk at TEDx Santa Barbara. Jeff shared the story of how his life changed dramatically when he started losing his sight to cataracts. Once he received the treatment he needed to regain his sight, he became passionate about restoring sight to those without access to eye care. To do so, he needed to learn a different cataract surgery method that did not involve the technology commonly used in the United States.
Jeff reached out to SEE to learn the technique, known as Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery, or MSICS, which is critical to treat cataracts in humanitarian settings. Now an expert in the procedure, Dr. Levenson volunteers treating with SEE regularly, giving the gift of sight to those in need.
Watch the full TEDx talk, Ending Preventable Blindness: Reinventing Cataract Surgery below.
About Dr. Jeffrey Levenson:
Jeffrey Levenson, M.D., is a board certified ophthalmologist, and medical director of Levenson Eye Associates in Jacksonville, Florida. He has an extensive history of volunteering with SEE, joining the organization in 2009. Since then, he has traveled to several clinic locations in Peru, El Salvador, and Mexico, providing free eye exams and sight-restoring surgeries to those who would otherwise not have access to proper vision care.
About MSICS
As part of SEE’s commitment to patient care, SEE has trained ophthalmologists in the MSICS technique since 2006. Options for training include two different levels. Level 1 is a one-day course and wet lab for those new to the technique. Level 2 is a multi-day course for those who would like more hands-on training in the field. To learn more about MSICS or register for a course please visit our MSICS page.
