The Eye Health Institute jobs and careers

About The Eye Health Institute

The Eye Health Institute (EHI) is a non-profit based out of Boulder Colorado. Their story began when Dr. Richard Cross and Dr. Myers, went on a medical mission to Jamaica in 1996 with an eye care team of just 2 optometrists and 2 opticians. Upon arriving, they were overwhelmed by the number of people waiting in line, all day, in the heat, for the chance to see an eye doctor and the possibility of improved vision. Because of the climate, sun and diet of the culture, cataracts, glaucoma, pterygiums and extreme near-/far-sightedness run rampant. Each day the team examined 100+ people and still many that had to be turned away. The realization that this was the only chance to seek help from an eye doctor deeply impacted both doctors. They felt strongly that something had to be done. In 2001 EHI was founded as an Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. They've been visiting Jamaica twice a year ever since. EHI has seen over 8,000 patients, given over 4,000 pairs of glasses and performed 100s of screenings in surrounding rural schools-all free of charge. Partnering with the University of Michigan, and created an intern program for students to get hands on experience in the global profession of eye care. A room in the US aid clinic at Grange-Kendal was provided and performed many sight restoring surgeries using whatever space is available at the time. It’s easy to take your eye sight for granted, but imagine a small child, in class, unable to see the black board. And it turns out they just need glasses. With the simple implementation of reading glasses, women who have worked as seamstresses are suddenly able to return to work. People with cataracts, through surgery, are able to access the world around them again, including the details of everyday care and cooking. Sight can give back a life. It’s stories like this that keep our team of volunteer nurses, surgeons, doctors, interns and staff coming back year after year, inspired to lend a hand.