Waves of Health Inc. Corp.

Waves of Health is bringing clearer vision to Dajabon, Dominican Republic and Haiti. Each year in April and November, at locations where healthcare is difficult for the public to access, WoH provides medical treatment to underserved communities. WoH has been providing care in these areas since 2008. The teams consist of a full volunteer staff of nurses, doctors, pharmacists, translators, security and support persons. Each mission serves approximately 1200 patients.

In 2020 the missions were expanded to include vision services. Many people do not have access to glasses in Dajabon. Unlike in the U.S., standard reading glasses are not readily available over the counter, and may even require a prescription from a vision specialist. Approximately 250-300 pairs of readers are dispensed on each mission.

Sunglasses became a priority as eye damage from sun exposure was apparent in these communities. Tropical sun exposure is known to cause cataracts and macular degeneration. Sunlight can be a trigger for migraine headaches. Conditions such as pterygia (a build up of tissue on the eye surface), photokeratitis (a painful condition that effects the cornea described as sunburned eye) are associated with tropical sun exposure. All of these conditions can be prevented with a simple pair of sunglasses. . WoH now dispenses approximately 600 pairs of sunglasses each mission.

After surveying our patients, it became clear that these communities were in need of prescription distance eyeglasses. In Dajabon, distance glasses are even more difficult to obtain than readers. Therefore many people who need glasses go without. Amazingly, there is a system called Global Vision that was developed for the exact purpose of making prescription eyeglasses, on site, in remote locations. WoH purchased the adult and pediatric Global Vision system in 2023. To date, WoH has dispensed approximately 350 pairs of prescription glasses to patients in Dajabon.

In rural communities a person who does not have glasses may not only be unable to read, but also unable to sort seeds, garden, sew, cook or drive. Lack of vision correction affects a person physically and mentally. It affects confidence, sense of self-worth, and a person’s ability to be independent and productive. This limitation can affect a person’s ability to support their family.

Dr. David Friedman, professor of ophthalmology at Harvard, remarked that a recent study showing the direct correlation between vision correction and poverty alleviation, “is an enormous finding”. The WoH vision project has profound and long lasting effects. Improving people’s vision can truly be life changing, for individuals and communities.

We need your support! Our Global Vision kit needs to be replenished after every mission and we need a fresh supply of readers and sunglasses for the medical missions in April and November

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Please give what you can together we can make a difference!

Many thanks from the WOH team!

Below is a link to the NPR article and Global Vision Project website