At Sights on Health, this mission is personal. We’re a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) delivering cataract surgery and medical care to communities with limited access in South America—working shoulder-to-shoulder with local partners to restore sight and expand care.

Proof that access changes everything

• Since 2012, our volunteer surgical team has performed 825+ sight-restoring cataract surgeries—each one a patient gaining back independence, livelihood, and connection.

• In 2024, our Peru mission provided 78 cataract surgeries and hundreds of adult and pediatric medical visits—because vision is part of whole-person health.

• In 2025, we joined forces with FIBUSPAM Hospital in Riobamba, Ecuador, alongside SEE International, to deliver life-changing care in both urban and remote communities.  SoH performed 91 cataract surgeries, surpassing the team’s original goal.  SEE International

With your help, we’ll keep putting people at the heart of eye care, Consider a contribution to the cause, click here.

Nicholas has been such an amazing supporter of our cause! He was inspired to support SoH because of vision challenges experienced by close family members and he has become committed to the service aspect of medicine through his membership in a school club. Sights on Health thanks him for his enthusiasm to assist in providing funds for the upcoming May Mission to Riobamba, Ecuador…… way to go Nicholas!!!

Consider donating to help Nicholas reach his $4K goal! 

May 16-23, 2025
Flights: Round trip  JFK-Quito, Ecuador
We are accepting donations through our PayPal  link to assist in purchasing medical & surgical supplies for the mission.

Volunteers needed

Medicine team: they will travel to communities for 4 to 5 days

• 3-4 MDS of various specialties
• 1-2RNs
• 1pharmacist
• 1 optometrist & 1 ophthalmic tech
• 1-2 medical residents & 1-2  medical students
• 1 administrative assistant
• 2 translators

Surgical Eye Team: the surgical patients will have already been selected, the team will operate out of Fibuspam Hospital

•  2-3 ophthalmic surgeons
•  2-3 RNSs or CSTs for OR with ophthalmic experience
•  2-3 floaters for OR
•  1 ophthalmology resident
•  1-2 anesthesiologists or critical care physicians
•  1 preop/postop RN
•  1 sterilization tech
•  1 administrative assistant
•  2 translators

There will be an opportunity to visit the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon or hiking Cotopaxi after the mission is completed. There will be a travel agent who can guide you through the process. Otherwise, you can return with the main group on May 23rd.

If you are interested in joining the Sights on Health team, please email Dr. Debra Messina for an application no later than 12/3/2024 Thank you!

May 16-23, 2025
Flights: Round trip  JFK-Quito, Ecuador
We are accepting donations to our paypal to cover the coast of airfare for the team.

Volunteers needed

Medicine team: they will travel to communities for 4 to 5 days

• 3-4 MDS of various specialties
• 1-2RNs
• 1pharmacist
• 1 optometrist & 1 ophthalmic tech
• 1-2 medical residents & 1-2  medical students
• 1 administrative assistant
• 2 translators

Surgical Eye Team: the surgical patients will have already been selected, the team will operate out of Fibuspam Hospital

•  2-3 ophthalmic surgeons
•  2-3 RNSs or CSTs for OR with ophthalmic experience
•  2-3 floaters for OR
•  1 ophthalmology resident
•  1-2 anesthesiologists or critical care physicians
•  1 preop/postop RN
•  1 sterilization tech
•  1 administrative assistant
•  2 translators

There will be an opportunity to visit the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon or hiking Cotopaxi after the mission is completed. There will be a travel agent who can guide you through the process. Otherwise, you can return with the main group on May 23rd.

If you are interested in joining the Sights on Health team, please email Dr. Debra Messina for an application no later than 12/3/2024 Thank you!