Eye Brigade
The Eye Team was formed in 1999 based on a need identified by our dedicated volunteers. By working with other charitable organizations we were able to outfit an eye team quickly and have since been able to help over 6,000 patients. Glasses and sunglasses are collected from many individuals and organizations in the western Pennsylvania area and are washed and labeled by volunteers. We are always happy to receive more donations and are looking for anyone interested in working with the eye team on the next brigade.

“To see the people’s faces light up when the glasses are placed upon their faces and they can SEE. They can see the distant mountains or the printed page – we know then that we’ve connected. And we’ve connected in more ways than one – we’ve given them a new chance to see the world around them and they’ve given us a chance to smile again within ourselves because of the connectedness.” - Kay B. Smith

Fundamentals of the Program
  • The Eye Team was formed in 1999
  • Glasses are donated to us via individuals, churches, doctor’s offices, and Lions Clubs organizations
  • Volunteers each year use our lensometer to read and label each pair of glasses, which are then washed and individually bagged with the prescription attached
  • For each brigade we purchase 800 pairs of adult reading glasses and sunglasses for children and adults, costing approximately $1400 and funded through donations
  • In 2000 we purchased an auto-refractor through a donation from local organizations. This is a hand-held device that reads the eyes of our patients, allowing us to accurately match glasses to patients
  • The Eye Team consists of 5-7 volunteers. We currently have only 1 Eye Team per brigade – to fit patients to prescription glasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses. The other team (medical and dental) fits patients to reading glasses and sunglasses only
  • We are hoping to sponsor an eye surgical team to treat cataracts and other eye diseases. In the meantime, we are trying to supply all patients and family members with sunglasses and hats
  • We always need eyeglasses, particularly for children; as well as UV sunglasses
  • We are looking for healthcare volunteers such as opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists who would like to share their expertise and knowledge in helping the people of Honduras, and who would like to take part in a profound and wonderful experience
  • For more information on the Eye Team, to make a donation or to get involved, please contact: eyeteam@propapa.org
 
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