Eversight’s global aid program, made possible by the generosity of our contributors, provides donor corneal tissue to surgeons traveling internationally to perform corneal transplantation in regions with limited access to care.
In February 2026, Eversight provided four corneal tissues to Eversight surgeon Kanika Agarwal, MD, of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, for a medical service trip to Nuevo Progreso, Guatemala, in partnership with SEE International.
“A small but mighty team of volunteer ophthalmology personnel participated in a medical service trip to Hospital de la Familia in partnership with SEE International,” Dr. Agarwal said. “The visit was part of SEE International’s Travel to Teach program, which focuses on strengthening local capacity by training physicians rather than only delivering short-term care.”
“A major highlight of the trip was the opportunity to train fellows in penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) surgery,” she said. “This was made possible through the generous donation of corneal tissue from Eversight, allowing fellows to gain practical experience performing corneal transplantation in a supervised setting.”
Clinical training is a pillar of Eversight’s global vision. When we partner with international institutions, surgeons expand access to care in regions where resources, training and donor tissue are limited.
“These partnerships help bridge the gap by not only providing tissue but also supporting surgeon development through hands-on experience and training,” said Eversight Partner Development Director Brooke Harthun. “By combining education and partnership, this program helps create lasting solutions that enable more patients to receive care, even after international teams have left.”
Alongside training, the team also delivered immediate care to patients in need. Four patients in Nuevo Progreso, Guatemala, who previously had limited access to specialized eye care received cornea transplants locally, improving their vision and quality of life.
“By investing in the education of six local fellows, the program helps build a sustainable pipeline of skilled ophthalmologists who can continue providing advanced eye care throughout Guatemala and the surrounding region,” Dr. Agarwal said. “Training surgeons in complex procedures like PKP expands the range of services available at the hospital and reduces the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment.”
For Brooke, who helped facilitate this medical service trip, the impact on patients is both rewarding and humbling.
“Even when my role feels small, it’s so meaningful to see how many lives are impacted,” Brooke said. “It’s a powerful reminder that behind every tissue is a person whose quality of life can be dramatically improved.”
What makes trips like this powerful isn’t just the number of surgeries performed—it’s the impact that continues long after the team returns home. By equipping local surgeons with the skills, tools and resources they need, Eversight and its partners are helping build a future where patients can access sight-restoring care within their own communities.
“This trip is a great example of how collaboration and preparation come together to make a measurable difference,” Brooke said. “It highlights not only the immediate benefit to patients but also the importance of building relationships with local teams and supporting their ongoing growth.”
This is what sustainable eye care looks like: restoring vision today while strengthening local capacity for the future.
“Ultimately, the goal is sustainable eye care—empowering local surgeons with the skills and resources needed to restore sight in their own communities,” Dr. Agarwal said.
By supporting Eversight’s global aid program, you play a direct role in expanding access to corneal transplantation and empowering local providers around the world.
Make your gift today to expand access to corneal transplantation and support surgical training worldwide.