Eye Health Institute, Inc.

Background Statement

The Eye Health Institute provides comprehensive, quality eye care to the financially disadvantaged and underserved people of Jamaica. Examinations are free and ophthalmic goods are provided at no cost. The need for these services is great, especially in the rural communities. It is estimated that half of the population will not receive vision care in their lifetime. Unfortunately, cataracts and other treatable conditions cause many cases of blindness.

In 1996 Dr. Richard Cross visited Jamaica with an eye care team consisting of two opticians and two optometrists. They were overwhelmed by the large number of people waiting in line all day for the chance to improve their vision. They examined over 100 people each day, and were saddened by the fact that many had to be turned away. Upon finishing the mission, they returned the following year in order to help more people. This led to the formation of the Eye Health Institute, and the establishment of an annual vision clinic serving the western region. As a result, thousands of patients have been helped. EHI has returned annually to provide vision care and glasses to people without access or means to see an eye care provider. Our organization is staffed by an all volunteer board, and no paid employees. All the doctors, nurses, and volunteers pay for their own transportation, room, and board.

In a show of support from the Ministry of Health, the Jamaican government provided EHI USA with space in the Grange-Kendall medical facility for a permanent eye clinic in 2006. Ophthalmic equipment and supplies were installed at the USAID clinic, allowing EHI to provide services locally.

Since 2013 EHI has sponsored interns at our Jamaican clinics. Under supervision from EHI doctors the interns have scheduled appointments for patients referred by the Western Regional Health Authority. Patients with serious conditions were referred to our ophthalmic surgeons; those needing vision correction were given prescription glasses manufactured at our Jamaican Optical Lab; those needing over the counter readers were dispensed on the spot. In addition to the Internship Program, we have continued our Glaucoma Screening Program and school screenings. Our head surgeon, Dr. Peter Andrews, performed the first corneal transplant surgery at Cornwall Regional alongside Dr. Claudine Green and surgical residents. Our volunteers have served over 8,000 people and provided more than 4,000 pairs of glasses free of charge. The Eye Health Surgical Team has performed more than 100 procedures, which has restored vision to people needing cataract surgery, pterygium removal, and corneal transplants.