Accomplishments

Since its start in 1992, the Armenian EyeCare Project has had an enormous number of accomplishments in Armenia. This includes:

  • Over 50 U.S. Medical Missions made to Armenia.
  • More than 70 U.S. Ophthalmologists traveling to Armenia, at their own expense, to teach physicians and treat patients.
  • $67 million in Medical Equipment and Supplies donated to hospitals and clinics in Armenia by American pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing companies and private individuals.
  • Over 500,000 patients in Armenia screened and more than 20,000 sight-saving surgeries performed.
  • Over 70,000 prescription eyeglasses distributed at no charge.
  • The establishment of a Center of Excellence for the Prevention of Childhood Blindness in 2012, dedicated to the advancement of eye care for infants and children in Armenia and the elimination of preventable blindness caused by Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and other childhood eye diseases.
  • The delivery of a state-of-the-art Mobile Eye Hospital in 2002, a 14-ton, 48-foot long, eye clinic on wheels that houses an operating room and two examination rooms with patients able to see a doctor at no charge.
  • The development of Ophthalmology Residency Programs in Armenia and improved teaching methods to meet Western standards.
  • The development of legislation for an Armenian Eye Bank that was approved and accepted by the Armenian government. The Eye Bank was established in Armenia’s capital in 2005.
  • The organization of Armenia’s first, and now annual, celebration of World Sight Day.
  • The sponsorship of 12 patients requiring specialized surgical care in the U.S., providing services at no charge.
  • The sponsorship of eight Ophthalmology Fellowships in the U.S. for Armenian physicians.
  • The establishment of eight Subspecialty Clinics directed by AECP Fellows after completion of their U.S. fellowship training programs.
  • Vitreo-Retinal Disorders Clinic and Operating Room, 1998
  • Glaucoma Clinic and Operating Room, 2000
  • Corneal and Uveitis Disorders Clinic, 2001
  • Neuro-ophthalmology and Orbital Surgery, 2004
  • Eye Banking, 2005
  • Low Vision Clinic, 2005
  • Pediatric Clinic 2007
  • ROP Clinic 2010
  • The sponsorship of 16 International Armenian-American Ophthalmology Teaching Conferences in Yerevan.
  • The implementation of a countrywide Screening and Survey Program on July 2003.
  • The Mobile Eye Hospital visiting Nagorno-Karabagh for the first time on May 2004.
  • Receiving a three-year $750,000 USAID Grant in October 2004 and subsequent four-year USAID Grant in 2007 for $800,000.
  • The establishment of an Education Center with a state-of-the-art Pfizer Wet Lab and Diagnostic Center for training Armenian physicians. The Pfizer Wet Lab is valued at over $1 million and has been used to train hundreds of Armenia doctors.
  • The training of more than 1,000 primary care physicians and regional ophthalmologists.
  • More than 750,000 public education handouts distributed throughout Armenia.