Editor's note: This is the latest story in the "#SWFLstrong" series, profiling individuals making a positive difference in the community. These articles will be featured on a regular basis in the Collier Citizen, Marco Eagle and The Banner.

Instruments filled the small room. A phoropter — the large, complex-looking device patients look through to read the bottom line of letters — was shoved to the side. The doctor peered through optics at Rene Maldonado seated in the chair.

“This is very important to me,” he said in Spanish. “I was told I have bleeding in the back of my eye. I’ve lost my vision significantly, and I’m unable to work.”

Maldonado sat in the Bonita Springs Lions Eye Clinic on a Wednesday morning. Several patients had come to optometrist Shawn Slattery’s chair in search of the only assistance they could find.

“It’s a very unique place,” former medical director Howard Freedman said. “There are places that provide free eye exams, but we’re the only clinic in the state that provides totally free comprehensive care — not only exams and treatments, but also surgeries. We can do it right here. That’s very special.”

Many people without the money to get an eye exam just ignore any problems, clinic director Char Lupke said.

“Some people have never had a proper eye exam,” she said. “More people come in here with a significant problem than those that need corrective lenses.”

These diseases can be debilitating. Maldonado’s worsening eyesight cuts his income entirely. One problem looms higher than the others — pterygium.

“It’s a fleshy growth on the eye caused by long exposure to sunlight,” Lupke said. “Many people who come in here work outside in the fields or pick tomatoes or something similar. They are most susceptible.”

A simple pair of sunglasses can stop the problems, but volunteer Cipora Levine said this doesn’t usually happen.

“Their bosses say wearing sunglasses can change the color of the tomatoes and they could pick ones that aren’t ready,” she said.

Levine is one of about 15-18 regular volunteers at the clinic. She’s learned how to operate various equipment and give preliminary exams through her two years working.

“Well, it’s just fun,” she said. “It’s great to help these people while having a fun time.”

Freedman is also a volunteer but decided to take on an administrative position after operating a practice for 21 years.

“For about 10 years, I would do missions all over the world,” he said. “I went to eight or nine countries. I got a chance to see these other countries, pass on my expertise end help some people in need.”

He soon realized trips thousands of miles away aren’t needed to help folks in the area.

“In Immokalee, I realized that just 30 miles from Naples, households are living on $20,000 a year,” he said. “I realized they needed help just as much as those people across the world.”

A few stories stuck in Freedman’s mind.

“A homeless lady from Fort Myers came in — needed a pair of glasses,” he said. “I asked where she hangs out. She said, ‘I live in the swamp.’

“She had to walk through knee-deep swamp water to get to her island to protect her stuff,” he continued. “Otherwise, people would steal it. Can you imagine? That kind of story shows how needy some people are here and how important it is to help.”

About five doctors regularly donate time to perform exams and surgeries, Dr. Alfonse Cinotti said.

“In the beginning, when we heard the Lions Club raised enough money through the thrift shop to open the clinic, it was great news,” he said. “About five of us retired ophthalmologists were very interested in helping.

“We had been doing screenings all over the area,” he continued. “When we found people who required further care, we had no place to send them. This was a great thing. We joined the clinic and have been working there ever since.”

The 94-year-old professional still goes to the clinic to help. While several optometrists and ophthalmologists donate some time, Cinotti said there is always a need for more.

“We’ve had trouble getting retired physicians to come and work with us in screening and at the clinic,” he said.

However, when doctors are found, they can do quite a few operations.

“We just had someone come in and perform $20,000 in surgeries in a day,” Lupke said.

Freedman said those days of hard work are always worth it in the end.

“That’s the best part of the day — seeing the smiles on their face and telling them they don’t have to pay,” he said. “We’re offering a valuable service that’s very rewarding to doctors.”

Part-time employee Sahira Ramirez is taking the message to heart.

“I started volunteering here my freshman hear of high school,” she said.

She loved the clinic and is now enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University as an assistant optometrist major.

“Working here really showed me that this is what I want to do,” she said. “The doctors here have really been training me. I help with surgeries now and it’s almost like a lecture.”

The clinic will be 10 years old on February 27, and the clinic and Lions Club are planning to set up an event. Keep an eye out for more information.

To nominate an individual for the "#SWFLstrong" series, contact reporter Thaddeus Mast at 239-263-4764 or thaddeus.mast@naplesnews.com.