Poughkeepsie

(845) 454-1025

Yorktown Heights

(845) 440-1175

Seeta Eye Foundation

Dr. Satish S. Modi is a board-certified ophthalmologist who has been serving the Hudson Valley area for over 40 years. In his years of service, Dr. Modi and his fellow eye doctors at our two locations have striven to provide the highest quality, most effective, and most technologically advanced treatments available. We delight in preserving, protecting, and restoring ideal vision and have a strong commitment to helping everyone in our region obtain the best eye care services available. Even if they cannot afford it.

The Seeta Eye Foundation, located in Poughkeepsie, NY, was created to provide laser-assisted cataract surgery to men and women who do not have the means to cover the cost of the operation. If you are in need of cataract surgery or know someone who is, please call (845) EYE-CARE to schedule a consultation and learn more. We have offices in Poughkeepsie and Yorktown to better serve people living throughout Dutchess County.

Please click here to download a copy of the Seeta Eye Foundation application.

  • About the Seeta Eye Foundation
  • Risk Factors for Cataracts
  • Symptoms of Cataracts
  • Why Choose Us
  • Contact the Seeta Eye Foundation

About Seeta Eye Foundation

Named after Dr. Modi’s mother, Seeta, the Seeta Eye Foundation offers laser-assisted cataract surgery, intraoperative aberrometry, and advanced technology implants to men and women who cannot afford to pay for these services via insurance or out-of-pocket. Services offered by the foundation are absolutely free of charge, allowing us to help those who are impacted by cataracts, but unable to afford advanced removal and replacement techniques.

The Foundation was inspired by Dr. Modi’s mission trips to India, Pakistan, and Central America where he would provide free eye care services alongside other ophthalmologist volunteers. During this service work, Dr. Modi became an ardent supporter of the Blindness Foundation for India, an organization that provides free transportation and cataract surgery to those in need, while teaching local doctors how to better serve those struggling with advanced vision issues.

After returning from one such service trip, Dr. Modi noticed that most of the charitable work eye doctors do is in the Third World. And yet, it was becoming increasingly obvious that in the richest country in the world, there are people who are unable to get good health care as well.

“We need to start helping patients here - where we live. It is time to give back here in the United States.” - Dr. Satish S. Modi

Committed to helping patients here at home, Dr. Modi started work on the Seeta Eye Foundation where he and other ophthalmologist volunteers can provide free laser-assisted cataracts surgery to those without the financial wherewithal to cover the expense.

Qualified patients must provide income verification to ensure they are eligible for this service, but upon verification, there are no fees for any of the services provided. These include:

  • Bladeless Cataract Surgery - Using the state-of-the-art LenSx® femtosecond laser, laser-assisted cataract surgery increases surgical accuracy, reduces risks and recovery time, and helps ensure more predictable results
  • Advanced Intraocular Lenses - We offer monofocal, aspheric, toric, and multifocal lenses to help restore ideal vision after the removal of a cataract. Some of these lenses are capable of restoring vision at a range of distances and may even correct existing refractive errors like near vision, far vision, or astigmatism
  • Intraoperative Wavefront Aberrometry - Preoperative biometry is used to determine the strength an intraocular lens will need to be for full restoration of vision. Without wavefront-guided aberrometry, this is largely guesswork. Intraoperative aberrometry allows our eye doctors to make more accurate corneal incisions and to revise or adjust lens strength and optimize the lens location during cataract removal surgery

These services are typically not covered by insurance and their cost can prove prohibitive for some patients. At Seeta Eye Foundation, we strongly believe that everyone is entitled to good vision and are proud to offer these advanced vision-saving services to people in our region who would otherwise be left, quite literally, in the dark.

A Leading Cause of Blindness in the U.S.

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States and throughout the world. According to the National Eye Institute, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, risks for cataracts begin around age 40 and increase with each decade, with over half of all Americans having developed at least one cataract by age 80.

Globally, the World Health Organization reports that 20 million people worldwide are currently experiencing blindness from cataracts - a fact made more tragic by the ease with which this condition can be treated.

It is with this in mind that Dr. Modi has remained committed to helping people who cannot afford cataract surgery. Preventable or treatable blindness should not result in a lifetime of struggle.

Risk factors for cataract development include:

  • Smoking - Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop cataracts than nonsmokers
  • Illness or Disease - Men and women with diabetes, hypertension, and existing eye diseases are at increased risk for cataract formation
  • Poor Health - Obesity is a risk factor for cataracts. So too is heavy drinking
  • Certain Medications - Patients who have used corticosteroid medications for a prolonged period of time are at increased risk for cataracts
  • UV Exposure - Exposure to UV light without proper eye protection can, over time, increase cataract risks

Additional risk factors include age, cataracts are more common in those over the age of 70, race, they are more common in Caucasians, and sex, men are more likely than women to develop cataracts.

Because they are often age-related, it is advisable to undergo yearly vision exams after the age of 50. When caught early, cataracts can be removed before any vision disruptions begin. Left in place, however, and potentially permanent vision loss may prove unavoidable.

Symptoms of Cataracts

One of the biggest indications of a cataract is frequent eyeglass prescription changes. If you have needed to increase the power of your eyeglasses several times in a short period, a cataract may be the cause.

Additional symptoms include:

  • Cloudy or blurry vision
  • Increased light sensitivity
  • Seeing “halos” around lights
  • Difficulties seeing at night
  • A fading or yellowing of colors
  • Double vision in one eye

These symptoms may indicate a cataract or another vision disorder and should not be ignored. Most age-related vision problems can be treated. The earlier the intervention, the longer vision can be preserved.

Why Choose Seeta Eye

For more than half a century, Seeta Eye has provided safe and effective eye care services to people living throughout the Hudson Valley Area. Founded in 1965 by Dr. Morton Alterman, Seeta Eye was joined by Dr. Modi in 1976. Since that time, our team of ophthalmologists and optometrists has expanded to include some of the most dedicated practitioners in the region.

We utilize advanced technology and cutting-edge techniques that help protect patient safety while working towards remarkable results - and we provide these services with great attention, taking time to truly understand a patient’s needs and to customize options to address those specific concerns.

“Here, in the United States, there is an increasing two-tier level of ophthalmic care where people who can afford to pay out of pocket can have the latest technology, such as femtosecond laser-assisted surgery and premium ocular implants, that allow spectacle free lives.” - Dr. Satish S. Modi

With the Seeta Foundation, we are able to extend these services to men and women who may otherwise be left to suffer the consequences of untreated cataracts. This allows us to help as many people as possible to rid themselves of cataracts and find restored vision for years to come.

Contact Us

To schedule an evaluation at the Seeta Eye Foundation, please call (845) EYE-CARE today. Located in Poughkeepsie, the Foundation serves men and women living throughout the Hudson Valley area including Highland, Milton, and Red Oaks Mill.

Contact Us

Please specify the reason or service requested for your appointment in the comments section

How Our Team Can Help


Our team of experts is here to diligently provide personalized compassionate eye care for our patients in Poughkeepsie, Yorktown, and Nearby Areas of the Hudson Valley.


Quality Services
Our staff is trained in the most up-to-date techniques and procedures to deliver high-quality care to our patients.
Stat-of-the-art Equipment We continually invest in the most advanced equipment to deliver the best results.

Friendly Staff
whether you are new to our practice or have been seeing us for years we pride ourselves on having a friendly and professional atmosphere that you can rely on for all of your eye health needs.
Individual Approach We take the time to assess your specific eye care needs to create a customized plan to meet your visual goals.

Locations

Click on the locations below for address

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday, Sunday

Closed

Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday, Sunday
Closed