Charitable Eye Care
Local Opportunities
Cataract Surgery for the Uninsured The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences has received funding to provide cataract surgery for uninsured patients through a grant in partnership with St. Vincent's House Clinic in Galveston. The patients may reside in any county and will undergo financial and insurance eligibility screening. Cataract surgery will be performed by UTMB residents under direct faculty supervision, and all preop testing, medication, surgical costs, and postoperative care will be provided at no or minimal cost. This program will be active for a limited time and is restricted to uncomplicated cataracts. To refer a patient, please FAX the completed form to St. Vincent's House Medical Clinic.
Eye Care America was founded in 1985 as a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Their mission is to reduce avoidable blindness and severe visual impairment by raising awareness about eye disease and care, providing free eye health education materials, and facilitating access to medical eye care.
Houston Eye Associates Foundation is committed to preserving and restoring sight with comprehensive eye care surgeries, medications, and ancillary services for individuals in financial hardship; and supporting education and research initiatives for the benefit of the community. Patients seeking medical eye care assistance through the HEA Foundation must meet certain eligibility criteria and complete an application. For more information and to obtain an application please visit the website.
Indian Doctors Charity Clinic is a non-profit that provides non-urgent primary care and eye care to those who cannot afford healthcare. The eye clinic is only open on the secondary Saturday morning of every month on a first-come, first-serve basis. The IDC clinic is located in southwest Houston near Bellaire.
Legacy Eye Clinic is a full-service, Federally Qualified Health Center. Legacy identifies unmet needs and gaps in health-related services and develops client-centered programs to address those needs. Legacy works with a wide range of health insurance providers already, but as an FQHC we also offer a sliding fee scale. The Legacy Frost Eye Clinic is located in Montrose.
Lions Eye Bank of Texas gratis tissue fund was established for needy patients along the Texas Gulf Coast region to provide corneal tissue at reduced or no direct charge.
Prevent Blindness Texas this non-profit foundation in partnership with HOS and University of Houston College of Optometry can coordinate free eye examinations and glasses for those who qualify.
San Jose Clinic is the original safety-net clinic in Houston and a leading provider of quality healthcare services for individuals and families in the Greater Houston area who struggle the most with accessing care. San José Clinic patients are asked to make a contribution to their care, based on a sliding scale determined by Federal Poverty Guidelines. Services include primary and specialty medical and dental care as well as vision, laboratory and pharmacy services. San José Clinic is a ministry of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and a United Way agency.
International Opportunities
Benevolent Missions International is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing needed ophthalmic care to the underserved in many areas around the world. The goal of BMI is to ultimately develop each underserved area into a self-sufficient mission with well-equipped healthcare facilities staffed and operated by local medical personnel and volunteers.
Mercy Ships a global charity, has operated a fleet of hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor, promoting health and well-being by serving the urgent medical and surgical needs of the forgotten poor and empowering developing communities worldwide.
ORBIS International a nonprofit, global development organization whose mission is to eliminate avoidable blindness by strengthening the capacity of local eye health partners in their efforts to prevent and treat blindness. The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital is literally a hospital with wings that brings together dedicated eye care professionals and aviators to give the gift of sight to developing countries around the world.
