International Eye Institute

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International Eye Institute International Eye Institute, Inc. is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation.

Our primary purpose is to provide adult and pediatric eye care and surgery to people of impoverished regions around the globe.

IEI Mission Trip October 2026 - over 70 surgeries, 5 IEI staff members, and 1 incredible team effort! Just days before o...
10/12/2026

IEI Mission Trip October 2026 - over 70 surgeries, 5 IEI staff members, and 1 incredible team effort!

Just days before our October mission to Hospitalito, our indispensable team member Beth had to leave for a family emergency. Though we missed her deeply, her advance prep (thank you, Beth!) and the incredible flexibility of our team saved the day.

Juanita stepped up as nurse manager, Dr. Julio brought in extra support, and our combined IEI and Hospitalito team pulled off an incredible week:

The Impact:
• 73 life-changing surgeries completed.
• Dr. Drew completed two MSICS procedures.
• Emma joined for her first trip and shined as a scrub tech.
• Veteran volunteers Ali & Josh provided crucial support in measurements and assisting.

Clinic Upgrades & Growth: Our work with Hospitalito’s clinic is thriving! It now has two fully equipped, professional examination lanes. Plus, our bright Guatemalan fellows, Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Ligia, each completed six successful cataract surgeries this week—demonstrating world-class skill and progress.

Huge gratitude to everyone who stepped up to make this trip a success!

Learn more about our mission and work at: www.eyegive.org

Miracles in Guatemala: Hope, Healing, and Transformed Lives 🇬🇹✨This month, a remarkable medical mission team led by Dr. ...
05/16/2026

Miracles in Guatemala: Hope, Healing, and Transformed Lives 🇬🇹✨

This month, a remarkable medical mission team led by Dr. Pulin Shah traveled to Guatemala, bringing together a powerhouse group of veteran volunteers and fresh faces to provide life-changing eye care.

The incredible team dynamics made all the difference this year:

New Additions & Veterans: Dr. Marc Richardson, a cataract surgeon from Jackson, Mississippi, and his wife Meghan, an RN, were fantastic new additions. Dr. Jeff Colburn, a pediatric ophthalmologist, returned for his second year alongside his wife, Brooke. Dr. Robert Thornton also joined the crew for the first time, providing vital anesthesia support.

The Unsung Heroes: The team was backed by three returning OR and clinic techs from Ochsner New Orleans—Ena, Andrea, and David—as well as Keoka, a new instrument tech who proved to be a massive asset in the sterilization room. Hyram Moore, a pre-med student from BYU, brought invaluable translation skills and high energy to the group.

The Backbones: Ali and Beth from North Idaho were the rockstar veterans who coordinated and made the entire trip happen! Also, Josh Patrick, a veteran of many trips, helped to keep things moving along in the OR!

Local Partners: The visiting team joined forces with their exceptional local Guatemalan counterparts, including Dr. Julio de Leon and two talented new fellows, Dr. Ligia Polanco and Dr. Rebeca Gonzalez.

The Impact by the Numbers 📊
Together, this collaborative team performed a total of 65 surgical cases in just one week, including:

53 Cataract surgeries

9 Pediatric strabismus cases

3 Corneal transplants

Moments That Mattered Most ❤️
Beyond the statistics, the week was filled with profound moments of connection and the heartfelt gratitude of the Guatemalan people. The team witnessed the breathtaking transformation from blindness to sight for several individuals.

In one unforgettable moment, a gentleman was moved to sobbing tears of joy the instant his patch was removed—a wave of emotion that quickly spread to everyone in the room.

Another highlight was a sweet young girl who wrote a touching letter of thanks to Dr. Colburn. It’s a keepsake that is sure to be mounted on his office wall with immense pride for years to come.

Thank you to everyone who supported, prayed for, and contributed to this mission. Lives have been forever changed!

✨Whatever traditions you celebrate, we hope your holiday season has been filled with light and joy! ✨As the year comes t...
12/26/2025

✨Whatever traditions you celebrate, we hope your holiday season has been filled with light and joy! ✨

As the year comes to a close, we’re on a mission to share that light with others. If you’re able, please consider a gift to help us restore sight and empower local eye care teams. Together, we can make the world a little brighter in the coming year.
Our long-term goal is to continue teaching and supporting fellows until the program is fully independent. You can help us make the next mission trips even more successful by supporting our efforts.
Here are ways you can donate:

1. Donate Button on our Website: eyegive.org
Note: This option uses PayPal and incurs a significant transaction fee.
2. ZELLE (Best for maximizing your donation!):
Send your donation to [email protected] (This method is fee-free!)
3. Send a CHECK (Best for maximizing your donation!):
Mail your check to: International Eye Institute c/o Justin StormoGipson, Treasurer 12722 N West Newman Lake Dr Newman Lake, WA 99025
Every dollar goes directly to supplies, medications, and training tools that change lives. Thank you for your support!

Progress Report from Santiago Atitlan! 🇻🇬2025 brought two incredible surgical missions, delivering 140 sight-restoring s...
12/06/2025

Progress Report from Santiago Atitlan! 🇻🇬
2025 brought two incredible surgical missions, delivering 140 sight-restoring surgeries and achieving major milestones in our local training program!

The highlight? Seeing our fellow, Dr. Anali Vasquez, independently perform 16 cases during the November trip was a true sign of our program's growth and sustainability. Her gratitude says it all: "You are incredible people, with huge hearts, and it has been a blessing to learn from you.”

Thank you to every volunteer and donor who makes this life-changing work possible!

Three ways you can donate to help us provide life-changing surgeries:

1. Use the DONATE button on our website: eyegive.org
This is an easy way to donate, but note that it uses PayPal, which charges a significant fee.
If you want all of your donation to go to our work, please consider the following two ways to donate:

2. ZELLE your donation to [email protected]

3. Send a CHECK to:
International Eye Institute
c/o Justin StormoGipson, Treasurer
12722 N West Newman Lake Dr
Newman Lake, WA 99025

Address

310 S 13th Street
Coeur D'alene, ID
83814

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