I have often wondered why it is that seeing people wearing eyeglasses in Armenia is as rare as seeing women drive trucks or autos. One could guess that either Armenia's citizens have exceptional eyesight and they have found a formula that prevents the ravages of age, or there are many people walking around with poor vision. The latter appears to be the closer to the truth.

I had occasion to have my eyes checked in Yerevan and came across some wonderful activity at the Republic Eye Center. I happened on this activity quite by very fortunate chance. As I was teaching class one day, black dots exploded out of my right eye, or so it appeared. It seemed prudent to get to an ophthalmologist. But my first experience sent shudders down my spine.

The first question that I was asked when I walked into this unnamed ophthalmology clinic was if I could afford to pay for the tests that had to be taken. When they discovered that I was not a charity case, they began a set of tests, the likes of which seemed to be out of the Stone Age, even to me as a nonprofessional. Testing for glaucoma was done by placing a small hammer-shaped device on my eyeballs and tapping it.

Anyway, the doctor concluded that I had none of the worst possibilities but had broken some blood vessels. That blood had collected in my eye, causing the black spots. The suggested remedy was to give me inoculations directly into my eye for five days. At that juncture, I decided to take my leave of the clinic.

DR. JOHN HOVANESIAN TO THE RESCUE
Very fortunately for me, it so happened that an Armenian-American friend informed me that Dr. John Hovanesian of Harvard Eye Associates, San Clemente, California, had just arrived in Yerevan with 20 eyes to replace defective corneas. After I placed a telephone call to Dr. Hovanesian, he kindly agreed to look at my eye. The short story is that, after extensive testing at the Republic Eye Center by Dr. Hovanesian and Dr. Armen H. Vardanyan, they concluded that nothing was drastically wrong and that my condition would cure itself after the administration of a couple of drops of medicine and sufficient time to heal.

During the process of caring for my eye, I learned about the wonderful things that are going on at the Republican Eye Center and in many other locations in Armenia. Dr. Hovanesian, a wonderful young Armenian American, introduced me to a group of devoted Armenian specialist doctors such as Dr. Vardanyan, who are performing Herculean tasks under very trying conditions in an effort to help correct the plethora of eye problems in Armenia. They desperately need funds to carry on this work.

Dr. Hovanesian comes to Armenia at his own expense twice each year. He performs retina operations, among his many tasks, and at the same time helps to train native Armenian doctors. Many of the Armenian doctors have also received training in the US with Dr. Hovanesian and, according to Dr. Hovanesian, they are excellent.

One could not help but be impressed with Dr. Vardanyan. He is the Chief Ophthalmologist of the Vitreo-Retinal Center at the Dr. Alex Malayan clinic. When I asked why a specialist such as himself remains in Armenia working for a pittance, when monetarily he could do much better in the West, he replied: "This is my country and these are my people, I love them both."

Armenians who do not have the means are treated free in this hospital, including retina replacement. The excellent reputation of this hospital has reached Georgia, Damascus and Russia. What the visitors from other countries pay is minimal ($80 for a stay in the hospital); no one is refused.

NEED FOR MOBILE HOSPITAL & OTHER EQUIPMENT
It appears that I was correct; many Armenians go through life thinking that their distorted vision is normal. Of course, they do not know that their vision is distorted, but I'm guessing that many motor accidents could be prevented with corrected vision (eyeglasses). According to the doctors, the number-one problem in Armenia is untreated cataracts.

Glaucoma is second and retina disease in one form or another is third. Without getting into details about how untreated disease ravages the eyesight here in Armenia, most problems can be cured with preventive medical help. The major cause of the numerous cases of blindness that occur is the lack of medical attention in the early stages of disease.

There are all too many permanent cases of blindness that could have (and still could be) been prevented with medical care.

Dr. Hovanesian said that he is trying to raise funds to put together a mobile hospital for Armenia. Many of the people who need medical help cannot get into central Yerevan and remain untreated. As previously stated, this results in blindness which could be prevented. With a mobile hospital, the doctors could reach out into the communities and prevent the diseases that are taking such a heavy toll. Another unfortunate thing is that the expertly staffed hospital does not even have laser equipment for vision correction. Dr. Hovanesian mentioned a list of other instruments that are not available to treat eye disease and prevent blindness. Without a doubt, anyone who helps Dr. Hovanesian raise funds can be assured that the money provided is indeed being applied to an exceptionally worthy cause.

Springfield, VA

Those wishing to help advance Dr. Hovanesian's work may contact him in San Clemente at (949) 493-5411.