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The Global Eye Project: Restoring Sight and Building a Future in Haiti

Vision Monday4d ago1 min read

FOND-DES-BLANCS, Haiti—What began as short clinical missions and two-week volunteer trips for Anshu Chandra, OD, has grown into the Global Eye Project (GEP), a nonprofit delivering comprehensive eyecare to one of Haiti’s most isolated regions and training for the next generation of local eyecare providers. Launched in 2015, GEP’s clinic in the rural commune of Fond des Blancs in Haiti has now provided more than 132,000 free eye exams to date and reaches up to 15,000 patients annually. But that work didn’t happen overnight.

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AI Summary

Quick Take

Since its launch in 2015, the Global Eye Project (GEP) has evolved from short-term volunteer missions into a permanent clinical fixture in Fond-des-Blancs, Haiti, providing over 132,000 free eye exams to date. Led by Anshu Chandra, OD, the nonprofit now serves approximately 15,000 patients annually while focusing on training local providers to ensure long-term healthcare sustainability in one of the country's most isolated regions.

Why It Matters

This initiative highlights a critical shift in global health from temporary "voluntourism" to the development of permanent, sustainable infrastructure. By establishing a year-round clinic and prioritizing the education of local Haitian providers, GEP addresses the chronic lack of specialized care in rural areas rather than offering only fleeting relief. For the international eye care community, this model demonstrates how individual practitioners can transition from mission work to building self-sustaining systems that empower local communities and provide continuous access to care.

Key Details

The Global Eye Project (GEP) operates in the rural commune of Fond-des-Blancs, targeting one of the most isolated and underserved populations in Haiti.
The organization has delivered more than 132,000 free eye exams since its inception in 2015.
Current clinical operations reach up to 15,000 patients annually, providing comprehensive eye care services.
The project emphasizes a dual mission of immediate clinical care and the long-term training of local eyecare professionals.
Founder Anshu Chandra, OD, transitioned the project from traditional two-week volunteer trips into a permanent nonprofit organization.

Who's Affected

OptometristsOphthalmologistsPublic Health ProfessionalsGlobal Health NonprofitsHaitian Eyecare Providers

What's Next

Following the successful establishment of the clinic and high patient volumes, the project continues to focus on its educational mandate. The long-term goal remains the cultivation of a self-sufficient local workforce to manage and expand eyecare services across the region.

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