Ernest’s Story

Former Theater Actor Gets Cataract Surgery

Born and raised in Stepanavan, Ernest spent his adult life as a theater actor and director. As he grew older, he began experiencing some health problems. He started to walk with a cane and his eyesight grew weak.

First, his right eye became blurry, and then, his left. Soon, Ernest couldn’t see at all. Once vibrant and full of life, he fell into a deep depression. He couldn’t afford to travel to Yerevan for surgery and felt hopeless.

“Eyesight is like the air you breathe,” he said. “Without it, you suffocate.”

Then, Ernest learned of the Armenian EyeCare Project. With our Mobile Eye Hospital (MEH) traveling throughout Armenia twice a year, Ernest was able to get screened and receive cataract surgery without leaving town — all at no cost to him.

During surgery, Ernest started to see.

“I saw the light, the world, and felt that I’ve been born again,” Ernest said. “The world was a different color. It was a miracle.”

More than 500,000 patients in Armenia have been screened through the Mobile Eye Hospital and over 40,000 surgeries have been performed.

Ernest was one of those patients receiving quality care on the MEH. Now, he can see his grandchildren again — and his thirst for life has been restored.

“I’m extremely humbled by this organization,” Ernest said. “My deepest gratitude.”