At a refugee camp in the south of Greece, we met Dauda, a 39-year-old from Sierra Leone who had endured unimaginable hardships. Tortured by military groups, Dauda lost vision in one eye and had limited sight in the other. Determined to help him regain his independence, we arranged for a consultation with Dr. Mavrikakis, an ophthalmologist in Athens. Thanks to our Mobile Eye Clinic project, Dauda underwent a successful surgery at the Athens Eye Hospital, restoring vision in his left eye. This operation not only gave Dauda his sight back but also renewed his hope and confidence. Dauda’s story reminds us of the incredible impact our projects and your contributions have on the lives of vulnerable individuals.
At a vision clinic held in Athens, where the largest population of refugees in Greece resides, over 400 eyeglasses were delivered to refugee residents and locals living in underprivileged communities. Volunteers from EssilorLuxottica, seven optometrists from Greece, and a volunteer from Grand Optical worked tirelessly to provide free eye exams and prescription glasses. Karmelo Modina, an optometrist and volunteer from the United Kingdom, shared, “It is important for me to be a part of this project because I always wanted to be an optometrist to help people and volunteering my skills seems to be the most fulfilling.”
We met Juma in the camp of Moria on the island of Lesvos. He was 8 years old at the time, he had come with his older brother from Syria, in Idlib he was playing in the street with two little friends when an explosion took the life of one of them, another one lost his leg and Juma lost the sight of his eye with deformation which caused rejection in his environment, he was forbidden to go to school and was called a monster with the consequence of loss of self-esteem and not wanting to relate to anyone. We found him in a shack in Olive Grove crammed together with other young people from Syria. We made an initial visit with one of LWB's volunteer ophthalmologists and informed UNHCR to find him a more dignified and cleaner place to keep his eye from getting infected. Thanks to Dr. Radillis in Lesvos he referred us to the eye surgeon Dr. Ioannis Mavrikakis at the Athens Eye Hospital in Athens.
Mobile Clinic Expeditions (Suyana)
Light Without Borders organizes monthly expeditions with volunteer optometrists and/or ophthalmologists in the mobile clinic “Papa Musa.” These expeditions offer free vision services to different refugee camps in southern and northern Greece.
Clinic Name: “Papa Musa”, in honor of one of our patients, Mohammed Musa, an elderly refugee from Afghanistan whom we assisted at the Moria camp on the island of Lesbos.
Cataract Surgery Project
We have a project with our partner Suyana to provide cataract surgeries and other eye treatments for refugees at a private hospital in Athens, the Athens Eye Hospital.
Providing prescriptions.
Detecting possible pathologies for referral to a Greek ophthalmologist, such as cataracts, possible glaucoma, retinopathies, and infections.
Emotional Support with Flower Essences
This project provides emotional support to refugees and volunteers through flower essence therapy. Flower essences can help people overcome insomnia, trauma effects, fear, and shock. Many refugees visiting the Light Without Borders eye clinic show signs of emotional distress. When appropriate, carefully prepared and selected flower essences are offered to them.
Luz, with over thirty years of experience, is a certified flower therapist by the Flower Essence Society of California (FES).
Dedicated to restoring and improving vision, we provide eye exams, treatments, and surgeries in underserved communities, ensuring that everyone can see the world clearly.
Through educational programs and workshops, we inform communities about the importance of preventive eye care and ways to access affordable, quality ophthalmological services.
Our mobile clinics travel to remote and hard-to-reach areas, delivering essential eye care directly to the populations that need it most.
We offer flower essence therapy to support the emotional well-being of patients and volunteers. These natural therapies help manage stress, anxiety, and trauma, promoting holistic recovery and resilience in individuals affected by vision issues.
We empower communities by training local leaders in basic eye care and integrating eye health practices into community wellness efforts.
Committed to continual improvement, we conduct research to advance ophthalmological knowledge and advocate for public policies that promote universal access to eye health services.
Our clinic is staffed only by volunteers. We welcome optometrists and ophthalmologists who want to make a difference to the lives of the refugees in Lesvos and are able to spare a few weeks of your time.
Together, we can restore hope and sight.
Our work is made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors like you. By partnering with Light Without Borders, you can help bring essential eye care to refugees in Lesvos and beyond. Your contribution will directly support the purchase of medical supplies, glasses, and the coordination of life-changing surgeries. Join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most.
Together, we can restore hope and sight.
The EssilorLuxottica OneSight Foundation aims to eliminate uncorrected vision impairment within a generation by creating sustainable access through an innovative approach to impact philanthropy, partnerships and awareness. Acting as a strategic partner with Light Without Borders, to provide refugees with critical vision screenings and prescription glasses to those in need.
The Suyana Foundation supports Light Without Borders by providing strategic resources for support and planning, as well as the mobile clinic, which is the focal point of Light Without Borders’ activities. In addition, Suyana is dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and communities to lead dignified and self-sustaining lives.
Light Without Borders is excited to announce our next Mobile Eye Clinic Expedition in Thessaloniki! After the success of our previous expeditions, where we provided life-changing eye care to over 1,600 patients, we are returning to continue our mission of restoring vision and hope to refugees in Greece.
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Light Without Borders is dedicated to restoring vision and hope for underserved communities, providing essential eye care to those in need and empowering individuals to see a brighter future.
