International
With a global network of more than 600 volunteer eye surgeons who donate their services (and provide for their own travel and related expenses), SEE International coordinates short-term medical expeditions all over the world at the request of ophthalmologists in host countries whose communities are overwhelmed with the large number of blind individuals who cannot afford surgery. SEE International’s volunteer ophthalmologists work closely with the host eye surgeons to perform safe and quality sight-restoring surgeries.
In 2007, SEE International held 72 expeditions in 34 countries, screened 40,610 patients and performed 9,308 surgeries. Over the course of 34 years SEE has provided surgery for over 360,000 individuals in 75 countries.
SEE expeditions are typically one week long. All teams are invited by the Ministry of Health or a local health authority from the host country. SEE’s international clinic coordinators work with the host ophthalmologists three to six months in advance to coordinate logistical details and to ensure the availability of proper facility, equipment, supplies, support and staff.
Read more about this topic: Surgical Eye Expeditions International, Programs