“Everyone treated me so well and answered all my questions. I want to thank every single person that was there to help me in being able to continue on with my life. I am immensely grateful!”

For years, Genaro had been experiencing growing discomfort in his left eye. He had been diagnosed 10 years ago with a pterygium, an irritating growth in the thin clear membrane on the surface of the eye that can impair vision if left untreated. He was told that there was no need for surgery at that time, but that he might need it in the future. The pterygium grew, and eventually, the pain, itching, and burning sensation became so extreme that it began to impact his ability to work at his construction and landscaping jobs. The constant exposure to the sun at work each day further exacerbated his symptoms.

Fortunately, Genaro knew where to find help. A Marin community resident for over 25 years, Genaro loves the region and appreciates the resources the county affords its residents. Over the years Genaro has received exceptional care from Marin Community Clinics (MCC). When his vision deteriorated, he was confident his primary care provider (PCP) at MCC would do everything they could to help him get the care he needed despite being uninsured due to his immigration status. Once his symptoms started affecting his daily activities and impaired his ability to drive, he visited MCC again, and his PCP referred him to our program for pterygium removal.

Genaro qualified for our program, and we matched him with Dr. James Carolan, an ophthalmologist at Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center. The pterygium removal was successful. Genaro could see clearly again and returned to work without pain or irritation. He shared, "when I used to look at myself in the mirror, the pterygium in my left eye looked bad. It is something that people can spot from afar and knowing that is not a good feeling to have. Now I look better, and the pain is gone." Genaro was thankful for the care Dr. Carolan and his team provided, and he said, "they were kind and made sure I clearly understood what the procedure would entail. Thank you for all the support!"

Story and photo shared with patient’s permission.