American medical team provides free eyeglasses for poor and needy children

San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic. – Dr. DeanHart, joined by a team of Long Island eye doctors and vision care specialists,arrived in San Francisco De Macoris this week with a suitcases full ofeyeglasses and an eager staff with clear eyes and full hearts. Their mission:to treat as many of the poor and needy at San Vicente de Paul Hospital as theycan.

"As an optometrist, I feel that there is no greater gift than the gift ofsight," said Dr. Hart of Woodbury Optical, who is also an ophthalmologyprofessor at Columbia University. "We are here because we live in a worldwide-community, and it is our responsibility to help our fellow man wheneverthey are in need."

Dr. Dean Hart, in conjunction with the Moreano World Medical Mission, hasalready given out hundreds of pairs of eyeglasses and is looking forward tohelping hundreds more.

"I hope anyone suffering from any kind of optical problems will come andsee my team and I for help," said Hart. "There really is no better feelingthan to be able to see clearly for the first time in your life."

The mission is stationed at San Vicente de Paul Hospital until Wednesday,February 17th and is open all day to the public.