Unique stories to inspire everyone to #LOVEYOUREYES

I came from a poor family where education was out of reach—until a scholarship allowed me to study optometry and change my future. I worked tirelessly, day and night, to earn that opportunity, and it lit a fire in me—a fire to give back. I chose public eye health, not just optometry, to ensure those in need get the care they deserve. I will fight endlessly to make eye care a right, not a privilege! During my graduation, the university president, Dr. Hiam Sakr, spoke words that have never left me: 'Lebanon needs men to match its mountains.' Those words became my mission. My purpose was bigger than a career—it was about transforming lives through vision. With that calling, I founded the Vision Care Association to bring public eye health to the forefront. We work to make eye care accessible, build awareness on preventable blindness, advocate for policies that strengthen public health, and support research shaping the future of vision care. This journey has been filled with challenges, but my vision remains clear—where eye care knows no boundaries, and no one is left behind

My journey in eye care began in 2015 when I was 20, driven by a passion to serve underserved communities. Over the past nine years, I have worked extensively in Community Ophthalmology, focusing on strengthening primary eye care services in rural regions of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. This experience deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities and inspired me to make a lasting impact. To enhance my skills, I completed a one-month Management Training and System Development program for Hospital Administrators at Aravind Eye Hospital, LAICO, Madurai, in 2018. This training provided valuable insights into hospital operations and outreach, shaping my approach to community eye care. Since then, I have led initiatives such as the Disability Inclusion Comprehensive Eye Health Program, Government School Screening Programs, and Rural Eye Health Initiatives, collaborating with international NGOs to expand their reach and impact. Although I initially pursued a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, my true calling led me to complete a Master’s in Hospital Administration, equipping me with the expertise to drive sustainable healthcare programs. As I continue to grow in this field, my commitment to making quality eye care accessible to underserved populations remains unwavering.

I started my career in eye health in Haiti because I witnessed the significant impact that vision problems have on individuals and communities. This experience motivated me to pursue a path where I could make a real difference in improving access to eye care. My goal is to create sustainable solutions that ensure everyone, regardless of their background, has access to the eye care they need. I am committed to educating people about the importance of eye health and raising awareness in communities where resources are limited.nIn Haiti, where access to healthcare can be a challenge, I work to bridge the gap by offering practical solutions that empower individuals to take care of their vision. I am passionate about advocating for eye health on a larger scale, promoting systemic change, and making it a global priority. As a young leader in the field, I believe that every effort counts, and I am dedicated to bringing about lasting change that can help people see the world more clearly and live healthier lives.

My mission is to transform the scenario of eye care in Brazil by ensuring and democratizing access to quality visual health services for all. What drives me most is witnessing the moments when our work truly changes lives: children receiving eyeglasses in schools, Indigenous people seeing clearly for the first time, elderly patients regaining their vision after cataract surgery. Seeing hope and life return to their faces—like magic—is what inspires me every single day.

In 2015, at a rural eye camp in the tribal village of Phangulgavhan. I met Tula, 19-year-old crawling on his hands beside his mother. Paralyzed due to polio, his poor vision had forced him to drop out of college, convinced his dream of a dignified life was over. When my father asked, he quietly said, I can’t see the blackboard. They call me blind, handicapped. His teacher, unaware of his condition, punished him for not paying attention. All Tula wanted was a Specs. We didn’t have his high prescription at the camp, but I promised to return. Three days later, I brought his glasses back myself. When I placed them on his eyes, his face lit up and so did his future. Today, he has a job, a wife, and three children. And every year, he still visits our camps with a warm smile and a cup of tea in gratitude. Tula didn’t just regain vision, he helped me understand the true impact of our work. His story sparked Young Eyes, our school-based vision program. This is more than a story. It’s a reminder that specs can change the course of a life.

Quick, free and effective care reaches Helena Abia, 12 years old, is a student at EMEF Professor Domingos Rubino, located in São Paulo. Since she was little, her mother noticed a dark spot on her right eye, but without any apparent complaints or previous referrals. In 2024, during an action of the Avança Saúde Escolar – Ophthalmology Program, coordinated by the Suel Abujamra Institute (ISA), the team performed ophthalmological exams directly at the school and identified the lesion as a suspected conjunctival melanoma, a rare but potentially serious tumor that can compromise vision if not treated early. The response was immediate: Helena was urgently referred to the ISA Hospital, a reference in ophthalmology in the city. According to her mother, the appointment took place on a Friday at school, and the hospital contacted her the following Monday to schedule specialized care. More detailed examinations were performed, and the medical team concluded that it was a benign tumor – the most common type of conjunctival lesion. Even so, the case continues to be closely monitored, with continued use of eye drops and the possibility of surgery in the future, if the spot shows any changes.

Rosario, a hardworking mother from Oruro, Bolivia, made a living selling soft drinks during the day and flaxseed at night to support her children. However, one day she woke up to find she had completely lost her sight. In an instant, darkness took over her world. Walking without assistance became impossible, and the fear of falling paralyzed her. Faced with this harsh reality, her daughter dropped out of school to care for the family. Even so, they never stopped holding on to hope. That’s when the Eyes of the world foundation reached out a helping hand. Thanks to our support, Rosario underwent surgery that restored vision in one of her eyes. She is now waiting for a second procedure. This miracle changed her life. The day after surgery, she opened her eyes and could see again. With tears of joy, she embraced the chance to resume her daily routine and reclaim her dreams and hopes. The emotional and financial support they received helped them get back on their feet. Today, this family shows that, even when adversity seems overwhelming, with help and hope, it is always possible to overcome any obstacle and keep moving forward.

Rebeca and Yasmin:Free and ongoing treatment for childhood strabismus Rebeca and Yasmin are the same age and share another experience in common:they are both receiving free treatment for strabismus from the Suel Abujamra Institute, after being diagnosed during school visits. Rebeca lives with her mother, Erlane, her father, a gardener, and her younger brother in São Paulo. She started using a patch when she was only 1 year and 2 months old, but had to stop the treatment after the doctor who was treating her retired. It was through the Avança Saúde Escolar-Ophthalmology Program that Rebeca had access to a new evaluation and was immediately referred to the ISA hospital, where she resumed her treatment. Yasmin, who dreams of being a veterinarian, lives with her parents in the South Zone. She also has astigmatism and myopia and uses a patch and glasses. “This project is extremely important,” says her father, Joedson. “Many children need glasses and treatment, but their families can’t even afford the consultation,” adds their mother, Delva. Thanks to the project, they have access to complete ophthalmological treatment, specialized monitoring, and the chance to grow up with autonomy, self-esteem, and visual health.

Steven Mutukudzi, a 65-year-old pensioner, endured three years of worsening vision and debilitating eye discomfort, which forced him to stop working and depend on his wife and young children to manage their small farm. As his condition deteriorated, the family fell into deep poverty, unable to meet basic needs or keep the children in school. Steven tried alternative remedies without success and grew increasingly hopeless. On April 17, 2025, he finally visited the Norton Eye Unit, borrowing bus fare from a neighbor. Despite financial challenges, the compassionate team diagnosed him with bilateral cataracts and successfully operated on one eye at no cost. The surgery marked a turning point in Steven’s life, bringing back light and hope. Grateful for this renewed opportunity, he became determined to work again, take on odd jobs, and care for the farm. His dream is to fund the second surgery and return his children to school, giving them the education and future they deserve. Steven’s journey is one of resilience and renewed hope, made possible through the support of the Norton Eye Unit, which not only restored his vision but gave him and his family a second chance at a better life.

In the heart of Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape, lies a community tucked deep within gravel roads and forgotten maps, a place where access to eye care is not just scarce, it’s nonexistent. There isn’t a single optometrist in the entire district. For many, the idea of having their vision tested was a distant dream until now. In honour of Youth Month, we journeyed over eight hours with a group of dedicated optometry students from the University of the Free State to bring this essential service to those who need it most. What we found was heartbreaking: a long queue of hopeful faces, the majority of them women, many elderly, who had never had an eye examination in their lives. Some had been living with blurry vision for years, unknowingly enduring conditions that could be helped. With nowhere else to go, they waited patiently, many in silence, many with gratitude for their first-ever eye test, done by our student volunteers and myself. This was not just a clinic; it was a moment of justice for a marginalised community. A glimpse of light, literally and figuratively, for those left behind. Their smiles afterwards said it all: someone finally came.