Corneal blindness affects millions of people worldwide, yet access to donor tissue is far from guaranteed. During a mission trip to Armenia with the Armenian Eye Care Project, I witnessed this disparity firsthand and came to understand how the barriers to restoring sight extend far beyond the OR. I met patients who had been waiting months or years for corneal transplants. Although the patient population has access to skilled surgeons and fully equipped hospitals, one critical element is missing: donor tissue. I realized, access to corneal tissue is a privilege that many around the world still lack.

Globally, corneal blindness remains the fifth leading cause of vision loss, and more than half of the world’s population lacks access to transplantation.^1,2 Yet, successful models from countries such as India demonstrate that implementing professional eye bank management, hospital-based cornea recovery programs, and robust public awareness campaigns can dramatically increase local donation rates and tissue availability.^3,4

BARRIERS TO ACCESS IN ARMENIA

Armenia does not currently have a national eye bank, which means access to donor tissue is unpredictable and heavily reliant on international partnerships or donations from abroad. In the OR, this scarcity became tangible. I watched cornea surgeons Marjan Farid, MD; Matthew Wade, MD; and Anna Hovakimyan, MD, PhD, carefully divide a single donated cornea so that two patients could each receive a portion, an act that exemplified their remarkable skill and profound compassion. It underscored the depth of the country’s shortage and how every donation can have a profound impact on patients’ lives.

In Armenia, the lack of an eye bank is only part of the challenge, as cultural and religious perceptions also create barriers to donor tissue access. Although corneal recovery is respectful and preserves the donor’s appearance, many families hesitate to donate due to worry over disturbing their loved one’s peace. Public awareness and education are vital to overcoming this obstacle. Without understanding of and trust in corneal donation, progress stalls. An eye bank is more than a repository for tissue—it is a hub for education, trust, and human connection.

Fostering a sense of trust and understanding is essential for building support of corneal donation and building sustainable eye care infrastructure. This can be achieved through strong partnerships among institutions, physicians, and communities. Armenian Eye Care Project collaborates with local ophthalmologists and the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Through this work, I observed how committed physicians such as Thomas C. Lee, MD; Richard A. Hill, MD; and John A. Hovanesian, MD; along with dedicated volunteers, work together to ensure that every procedure and coordinated effort strengthens the foundation for long-term ophthalmic care in Armenia. These experiences reinforced for me the importance of education, cross-institutional collaboration, and the human connection at the heart of ophthalmology.

USING POSITIONS OF PRIVILEGE TO CREATE CHANGE

In medical school, we focus on anatomy and the science of medicine. However, it is access, awareness, and empathy that determine whether patients can benefit from treatment. As a student, I have seen how powerful our voices can be in bridging this gap—through speaking with patients, engaging community and faith leaders, and sharing stories that humanize the impact of tissue donation.

Although we may not have the authority to build an eye bank, we can spark conversations that shift perceptions, inspire trust, and lay the foundation for change. The existing global models and ethical frameworks give me hope that our generation of aspiring ophthalmologists can expand access to sight-restoring transplantation in resource-limited parts of the world. The path forward calls for collaboration, compassion, innovation, and, most of all, commitment to the simple truth that vision is a universal right, not a privilege.

For the patients I met in Armenia, receiving the gift of sight would mean independence, dignity, and a return to light. For me, it is a reminder that the privilege of easy access carries a responsibility: to see beyond borders and help build a world where sight truly belongs to all.

1. Anitha V, Tandon R, Shah SG, et al. Corneal blindness and eye banking: Current strategies and best practices. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023;71(9):3142-3148.

2. Li G, Lin MX, Cortina MS, Akpek EK. Feature developments in artificial corneal devices: a review. Br J Ophthalmol. 2025;109(9):970-975.

3. Oliva MS, Schottman T, Gulati M. Turning the tide of corneal blindness. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2012;60(5):423-427.

4. Christy JS, Bhadari AH, Mathews P, Srinivasan M, Vanathi M. Evolution of eye banking in India - A review. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023;71(9):3132-3141.