Our doctors has made a personal pledge to participate in a medical mission trip every year.  Without the support and patronage of our amazing patients he would not be able to be involved in these trips.  We cannot thank you enough for allowing us to help others who are less fortunate than us.

2019-2021

I’m beyond disappointed to tell you that I haven’t been able to participate in my annual medical mission trip for the past three years. In 2019 we moved the entire office and funds were very tight so I couldn’t afford to go. In 2020 this pandemic thing happened, maybe you heard about it? And now it’s 2021 and no one is operating a mission trip given the uncertainty of the situation. I’m hoping that in 2022 I will be able to get back out there again and help some of those less fortunate than us. most of whom have never seen any type of doctor before, let alone an eye doctor. I miss working with the students, I miss joking with the volunteers and I miss the impact of being able to help so many people.

Ecuador, 2018

Last year was so great and efficient at the rotary club in Cuenca, Ecuador that we just had to go back again! This year we treated over 2,000 patients in 4.5 clinic days. Needless to say we were exhausted by the end of it all! a lot of people who never had access to eye care before were helped and it’s always an amazing feeling to see the joy on people’s faces when they can see clearly for the first time. Met an amazing guy named Bhav who was basically Macgyver with glasses. The Rotary club took excellent care of us as always. Found the largest Avocado on the planet (see picture to the right). We also had the pleasure of treating a lot of kids from various schools in the region and the school for the mentally challenged. Overall it was a wonderful experience and I feel so lucky to be able to help others with my profession.

If you haven’t had the chance to visit Cuenca, Ecuador I highly recommend it. The weather is perfect, the people are lovely and the food is amazing.

Thank you for supporting Lone Star eye! Your support allows me to be able to do this every year and I appreciate you so much.

Ecuador, 2017

This year I sponsored 3 doctor’s travel expenses to participate in my medical mission trip to ecuador.  Each of these doctors previously worked at lone star eye when they were students at the university of texas.  as a graduation present I decided to take them on a medical mission trip to hopefully encourage them to continue this sort of charitable work in the future.  we treated patients in two cities, Guayaquil and Cuenca.  over 3,400 patients in 10 clinical days. Met some great students and an really great optometrist from australia named Z! This trip was also special because a dear friend of mine’s mother joined me in volunteering, which she had no experience with before. She was a natural and I am so happy that you came with us Susan!

I'd like to share a quick story involving The man in the very first picture.  he is 52 years old and has never had prescription eyewear in his life.  the rotary club volunteers thought he was blind.  He even thought he was blind. after examination, I determined that there was no evidence of cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration.  upon further review, I found that he had a huge myopic prescription and thus only needed glasses to cure his blindness.  After a little digging I found glasses that were close to his prescription. unfortunately this man spent the majority of his 50 years of life barely being able to see and now he’s able to see the world clearly. It was quite a touching moment. He was so overwhelmed that he was literally speechless. It was one of the proudest moments of my life.  

stories like these are the reason that I am committed to donating professional services every year to people in need of help.  something as simple as a pair of glasses (which we have extremely easy access to) can change someone's life in other countries.

Thank you for your patronage at our practice and know that your money is being used to improve the quality of life of others.

Lima, Peru 2015

This year I ventured south to Peru to volunteer with the canadian humanitarian group Voluntarios de Santa Cruz.  In total there were 3 doctors and numerous optometry students from all over the world.  There were even 4 students who traveled from France to be involved in trip!  With the help of some local translators, the group was able to treat 2,854 patients in a span of 8 clinic days.  Many of these patients had been living with severe vision loss and received glasses for the first time.  The peruvian people could not have been more grateful and kind.  Each morning we had around 500+ people waiting at the school where we performed the exams.

In the gymnasium where we stored all the glasses there was a sign up on the wall that said “Todos debemos tener las mismas oportunidades” (We all must have the same opportunities). I thought this was very fitting given that the purpose of our trip was to try to give the same availability of care to people who unfortunately aren’t able to access it. Always grateful for your support of Lone Star eye.