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SAVE THE EYE:
A thank you to Bascom Palmer from a grateful patient

by Rick Arkush
Miami, Florida

D ear Bascom Palmer,
I owe my life to the doctors who have
given me the opportunity to fight
this fight. In particular, Dr. David Tse – the

doctor from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute who

removed my eye.

I wear a patch over my left eye. For a long

time, it was a reminder of what I had been

through. Now, it’s a reminder of what I can

accomplish – and what I want my legacy to be.

Eleven years ago, my family and friends

knew that something wasn’t right. My left eye

was drooping. If it wasn’t for them forcing me

to see a doctor, I wouldn’t be here today.

I was diagnosed with a very rare form of

cancer called lacrimal gland adenoid cystic L TO R: IBRAHIM AL-RASHID, PASCAL GOLDSCHMIDT, UM PRESIDENT JULIO FRENK, DR. NASSER, IBRAHIM
carcinoma. I was lucky enough to become AL-RASHID, DR. DAVID TSE, DR. EDUARDO ALFONSO AND FAHAD AL-RASHID

a patient of Dr. David Tse and Dr. Pasquale

Benedetto at the University of Miami Miller through the use of a 3D printer. This printer could be used all over the world

School of Medicine in Miami, Florida. I was for people who could not afford a prosthetic eye, or for people who don’t have

only the 14th patient they had encountered insurance to cover this type of expense.

with this type of cancer, and was told that I knew I had to thank him for saving my life, and I came up with the idea

in order to survive my eye would have to be of “Save The Eye (STE)”, which uses the three letters of his last name. Now, it’s

removed. It was shocking. playing out – and it’s how I envisioned it.

The truth is … I was really lost. But you My dream is to get 50,000 people to give $10 each to cover the cost of the

learn that you have to make the best of what printer and also the staff to operate it. I want my legacy to be to fulfill Dr. Tse’s

you’re given. Losing the eye saved me from dream – which is now my dream – and help people all over the world that

death. When I realized that – and it took me a probably would never get this opportunity. That would mean so much to me.

long time to realize how blessed and fortunate I’ve learned that this is what it’s all about; to give back, it feels so cool. It’s the

I was – that’s when it became part of my coolest thing I’ve ever experienced.

normal life. I got to live again. If I didn’t have This is a labor of love for me. I’m truly blessed to still be around.

it removed, I would have been dead in about Dr. David Tse and his son Dr. Brian Tse, both Oculoplastic Surgeons with

two years. There was no other option. Bascom Palmer visit the Naples Bascom Palmer Eye Institute a couple times a

Earlier this year, Dr. Tse told me his dream month and see patients right here in our community. It’s extraordinary having

is to make realistic and affordable prostheses access to such renowned physicians.

50 Life in Naples | December 2016