“I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.”

— Maya Angelou

The people on the Caribbean island of Nevis are always happy to see Lauren J. Shatz and Ray E. Hubbe coming. In fact, it's a testament to the two Northampton doctors that some of them can see at all.

Shatz and Hubbe, who practice at Eye Physicians of Northampton, recently returned from what has become an annual trip to provide opthamological care to the natives of Nevis. Located 220 miles southeast of Puerto Rico, the 36-square-mile island is part of the Lesser Antilles chain that includes Antigua, Martinique and Nevis' neighbor, St. Kitts. Most of the 11,000 residents are of African ancestry and speak English with a British accent. The island was a British colony during the sugar trade days.

The Western Massachusetts connection with Nevis was forged in 1996 when Dr. George Bresnick, a Worthington resident, visited the island on vacation and saw that the local population could use his skills. He established the Nevis Eye Care Program, which has treated some 1,500 natives for a range of eye diseases.

Hubbe, who now coordinates the program, became involved when Bresnick dropped by his office several years ago to recruit another opthmologist who has since retired.

"I always thought it would be rewarding to help people in another country," Hubbe said.

Shatz and Dr. Bruce Bleiman, who is also at Eye Physicians of Northampton, also volunteered their services. This year, Shatz and Hubbe took turns on the island over a three-week period in late April and early May. Some combination of the doctors will return for another stay in November.

During their time in Nevis, the opthamologists set up shop at the island's only hospital, where they provide screening for a variety of eye-related ailments. Hubbe and Shatz use lasers to treat glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. They also perform corneal surgery. Another physician from Wisconsin does cataract surgery in the fall.

Shatz and Hubbe say there is a special need for pterygium surgery on the island. A pterygium is a growth on the surface of the eye that is often caused by exposure to the sun.

"You see it a lot in people who grew up near the equator," Shatz said.

Both doctors are specially trained in removing the growth, which takes about 30 minutes.

Hubbe, whose wife, Ginger Burn, accompanied him to do administrative tasks, recalled the case of a man who had suffered an eye injury from a metal wire. He had been taking medication but needed more intensive care. Hubbe and Shatz stabilized him and sent him to a hospital on another island for surgery.

Shatz described the nurses on Nevis as dedicated and well-trained, but said there is difficulty getting medical supplies. The doctors bring supplies with them when possible. Although not as poor as Haiti, Nevis is an underdeveloped country that replies mostly on farming the volcanic soil. The people are grateful for whatever help they can get.

"It's very gratifying," said Shatz. "You really feel like you're making a difference. People are very appreciative of our work."

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