Hello everyone,

My name is Carissa Pollard, and my family's world has been turned upside down. My dad has always been our rock, but over the past few months, he started experiencing what he thought were just headaches behind his eyes. On Monday, March 10, 2025, everything changed. His pain became unbearable, and after seeing an eye doctor, he was diagnosed with Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma—a condition that, if untreated, can lead to permanent blindness.

The ophthalmologist told us he urgently needed laser drainage surgery to relieve the pressure in his eyes, but their laser was broken and awaiting repairs. An appointment was scheduled with another doctor for Thursday, and my dad was sent home. Just six hours later, his pain became excruciating again, and my mom rushed him to the trauma hospital in Norfolk.

By the time he arrived, the pressure in his left eye had skyrocketed to over 60 (normal is around 10-21). Doctors tried everything—multiple eye drops, pressure medications, and even IV pain meds—but it took hours to bring it down slightly, only for it to spike again. They performed an emergency laser procedure on both eyes, but his left eye still didn’t drain properly.

On Friday, March 14, my dad underwent emergency surgery to remove the lens from his left eye in an attempt to save his vision. Right now, he can only see white light from that eye. If all goes well, he will have a lens implant in three months. But the nightmare wasn’t over—on Saturday, March 15, his right eye pressure spiked to over 60, and he was rushed back to the hospital for another emergency procedure.

Despite multiple laser treatments, his eye drainage ducts continue to close, and he now faces another major surgery to remove and replace the lens in his right eye. My dad is the primary income for my mother, who is on disability, and three younger brothers. He has been released from his private contracting job until his eyesight returns. With currently no health insurance medical bills, travel expenses, and day-to-day costs are quickly adding up.

We are asking for any support you can give—whether it's a donation, a share, or simply keeping my dad in your thoughts and prayers. Every little bit helps as we navigate through this incredibly difficult time.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness and generosity.

With love,

The Lacroix & Pollard Family