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About Armenia

Traditions & Holidays

Armenians celebrate their rich heritage and cultural traditions with a level of hospitality unseen by most Westerners.

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People

Armenian, a country of three million people, is characterized by a high degree of ethnic homogeneity.

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History

Armenia is bursting with historical and religious magnificence and is known as the “cradle of civilization.”

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Culture

At the very heart of Armenia’s identity is her unique historical and religious story told through brilliant art and music.

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Geography

Armenia is located in the Caucuses and was first to declare independence from former Soviet Republics in 1991.

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Armenia Quick Facts

  • Armenia is well known for its Cognac
  • Armenia is home to the world’s longest non-stop double track cable car
  • In Armenia, ‘Merci’ is an acceptable form of ‘Thank You’
  • The country’s national symbol is Mt. Ararat
  • Armenia shares borders with Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Nakhchivan
  • Armenia is rumored to be the first to adopt Christianity in 301 A.D.
  • Armenia reportedly has the world’s best apricots

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Globally the major causes of visual impairment are:

Uncorrected refractive errors - 43%, unoperated cataract - 33%, glaucoma - 2%.

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A Woman’s Face or Man Playing a Horn

Which Frog has a Wider Mouth?

Is There More Blue or More Red?

The Trend

It all started two summers ago, when Mrs. Donna Evans, the wife of former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, visited the 10th century renowned Armenian Monastery of Sanahin in Lori region. A child, playing in the courtyard, caught Mrs. Evans’ attention.

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61% of the U.S. adult population had an eye examination within the past year.

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Macular Degeneration

Eye Professionals

Cataract Vision

Refractive Disorders

Refractive disorders affect the cornea and the way we see. Our eyes are very much like the way a camera takes a photograph – the refractive process. The cornea and lens in your eye act as the camera lens and the retina is similar to the film. The image that your retina “sees” goes to your brain, which tells you what the image is. The cornea bends, or refracts, light on the retina enabling us to see. When the curve of the cornea is irregularly shaped, the cornea bends light imperfectly on the retina. This is what causes a refractive error and affects your vision — myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

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Globally the major causes of visual impairment are:

Uncorrected refractive errors - 43%, unoperated cataract - 33%, glaucoma - 2%.

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Myth: The eye is full size at birth.

Fact: The eye is NOT full size at birth but continues to grow with your child. This growth partially accounts for refractive (glasses) changes that occur during childhood.

Myth: Using a computer, or video display terminal (VDT), is harmful to the eyes.

Fact: Using a VDT may strain or tire your eyes, but it is not harmful. You can get special glasses to wear at the computer to help alleviate eye strain.

Myth: Holding a book too close is harmful to your eyes.

Fact: Children and adults who are nearsighted might need to get closer to a book. Doing so does not cause or worsen nearsightedness or any other kinds of eye problem.

Lucik's Story

Lucik Yeritsyan lives with her family in a house on the outskirts of Artsvaberd, a small village in the Tavush marz. The house has one living room, one bedroom, a kitchen and a corridor where Lucik lives. The wooden stove is in the corridor next to Lucik’s bed. In the one-bedroom house — with a small orchard, a vegetable plot and a few sheep and hens, eight other people live with Lucik. They include her husband, Armen; son and daughter-inlaw Ashot and Maro; and five grandchildren- age five through 16.

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WHERE WE WORK