Global Ophthalmology

The West Virginia University Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and the Eye Institute’s mission to treat preventable blindness and improve vision outcomes for patients extends beyond Appalachia through several global outreach missions that target vulnerable patient populations in areas with a significant need for specialty services.

Organized by Department faculty, these missions are designed to deliver the highest-quality medical and surgical ophthalmic care directly to isolated patients and empower local physicians through specialized training and mentorship opportunities. These missions are made possible in part by partnerships with several statewide and global outreach organizations and medical institutions.

Saint Lucia

• Mission: Address the vision needs of children with blinding eye diseases in Saint Lucia through providing services such as ocular surgeries, eye exams and low vision management
• Faculty/Staff Leaders: Rebecca Coakley, MA, CLVT; Charles Moore, MD
• Partner Organizations: Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association, Lions Club of Saint Lucia

Honduras

• Mission: Deliver direct eye care to Honduran patients in need through services such as comprehensive eye exams and specialized ocular surgeries, and provide surgical ophthalmic training to local ophthalmology trainees
• Faculty/Staff Leaders: John Nguyen, MD; Rebecca Coakley, MA, CLVT
• Partner Organizations: Carolina Honduras Health Foundation, Advanced Center for Eyecare Global

Ghana

• Mission: Provide vision-saving ocular surgeries and disease management to Ghanian patients who would otherwise not have access to specialized eye care, and introduce ophthalmology trainees
• Faculty Leader: Thomas Mauger, MD
• Partner Organization: St. Theresa’s Hospital