In 2010, Heeralal became a para medical ophthalmic assistant (PMOA) after the Government of Madhya Pradesh called for MPWs to undergo PMOA training. He conducted regular eye exams at CHC Niwas but was disheartened by having only two or three patients a day. He took part in school screenings and cataract camps as awareness grew.

In 2022, Heeralal saw a turning point when we launched our Integrated People-Centred Eye Care project in Singrauli. CHCs were upgraded to vision centres, equipped with slit lamps and essential ophthalmic tools. PMOAs received refresher training for comprehensive eye examinations to build eye care capacity. A series of targeted interventions rolled out.

We trained community health officers, accredited social health activists (ASHAs) and community health volunteers (CHVs). Screening camps were organized with a mobile vision van to boost awareness. With support from ASHAs and CHVs, Heeralal soon saw 12 to 15 patients daily.

Today, Heeralal feels more inspired than ever by the transformation in rural healthcare. His motivation grows with every person whose sight is restored.

Did you know? Integrating eye care into universal health care is one of the five recommendations of the World Health Organization 2019 World Report on Vision.

Learn how you can help support integrated eye health efforts here.

The post From health worker to eye care champion appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

Vineela joined our family in August 2018, after working for two years as a clinical optometrist at the L V Prasad Eye Institute. “My time there motivated me to join an organization that provides quality care for the people who need it most,” she says.

Vineela’s day at the office begins at 9:30 a.m. She starts by going through her weekly plans, preparing her to-do list and tackling her most urgent tasks. These often include following up on the progress of our partner hospitals and coordinating training for vision technicians, optometrists and ophthalmic assistants. Lunch is at 1 p.m., after which she’s busy with project and training reports. She wraps up at 5:30 p.m. with a final report to her manager and discussion about tomorrow’s important tasks.

But that’s not all. With her expertise in clinical optometry, Vineela trains optometrists, technicians and final-year optometry students, visiting one or two of our partner hospitals every month.

During these trips, she also monitors our Hospital-Based Community Eye Health Projects. She visits vision centres, talks with the staff and patients, checks patient records and addresses any areas for improvement. “I get to see the changes we bring into people’s lives. That’s what I like about my job the most!” says Vineela.

“My interests are in clinics and teaching,” she continues. “Operation Eyesight’s unique approach in reaching the underprivileged motivated me to apply for this position. Now I am very happy to be a part of this family and to serve the neediest!”

Your big-hearted gifts are making it possible to transform communities through people like Vineela. By donating today, you can help provide vulnerable communities in Africa and Asia with the quality eye care they need – For All The World To See!

The post A day in the life of a program officer appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

Helina purchased some eye drops and applied them, but Awemboro’s condition steadily worsened. He developed a high fever and couldn’t eat. After a week, his parents took the little boy to Enyiresi Government Hospital, one of our hospital partners in Ghana. By this time, poor Awemboro was running a very high fever. Both his eyes were so severely swollen with discharge that he couldn’t open them!

Fortunately, the ophthalmic nurse at the eye clinic had been trained by Operation Eyesight, and was able to diagnose “orbital cellulitis,” which indicates a life-threatening emergency.

She consulted a general physician at the hospital and Awemboro was quickly admitted to the hospital. According to the doctor, the little boy had such a high bacterial load in his body that his life was in danger. He was put on systemic antibiotics and eye drops until the condition resolved. Today, he’s back to his normal, happy self!

As you can imagine, Awemboro’s parents are very relieved. They’re so grateful to our donors for providing funds to train the nurse, whose knowledge helped save the sight and life of their little son. On behalf of their family, thank you!

You can help more children like Awemboro. Donate today to help provide training for ophthalmic nurses, or to provide medical supplies like antibiotics and eye drops. Thank you for your support!

The post Life-threatening illness averted for toddler appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

Carolyn achieved her childhood dream with the help of funding from Operation Eyesight.

“I’m a project!” she says, smiling. “I’m very grateful to you. Operation Eyesight is wonderful; you help a lot of people.”

Not far away in the village of Iten, ophthalmic clinical officer and cataract surgeon Agnes Maiyo repeats Carolyn’s thanks. “We really appreciate the support from Operation Eyesight! I did my training through your organization, and now I’m a cataract surgeon. I’m proud of my training; it changed my life.”

Further to the north in Kitale district, Judith Boiyo is a trained community health worker, identifying patients who need eye care and accompanying them to Kitale Hospital.

Judith told me, “People say there’s no need to help old women. Old age is their only problem. I tell them everyone should be helped. I chose this work because people don’t know how to manage their health, and it means a lot to me to help them. I’m happy and I like what I do.”

Like many other eye health care professionals throughout Africa and India, Carolyn, Agnes and Judith received training thanks to generous donations from Operation Eyesight supporters. Now they possess the skills, knowledge and motivation to help care for the eye health of their entire communities.

Just imagine how the impact of our donors’ original gifts has grown!

Not only does Operation Eyesight fund leading-edge training for community workers, cataract surgeons and ophthalmic nurses, we train vision care technicians, optometrists and highly skilled ophthalmologists. Won’t you help other people in India and Africa achieve a meaningful profession that can help save the eyesight of thousands of others? Visit our online Gift Guide today to buy your gift of training for eye care professionals!

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