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"…after her procedure she was not only smiling, as the day before, but she laughed a loud happy laugh that livened up the entire clinic and many of the patients within!"

Affiliate with SEE

SEE International welcomes ophthalmologists interested in philanthropic leadership.

Our founder, Harry Brown, MD, FACS, wrote a short message about his own experience with international eye surgery and why becoming a SEE affiliate is a powerful and career-enhancing experience.

If after reading through the requirements and duties of being a SEE Affiliate, you decide to become a member please complete the Affiliate Application.

Professional Requirements

Our affiliates must be in active practice and board certified (or foreign equivalent) in their country of residence.

Time Commitment

A typical surgical clinic usually lasts for five days, Monday through Friday. Other activities may include lectures and roundtable discussions about the clinic (areas of improvement, future plans, etc.).

Supplies and Equipment

The visiting SEE International team hand-carries all surgical supplies required for complete cataract surgery. These supplies are generally procured by SEE International headquarters. Portable operating microscopes, instrument sets, and other equipment may be available for loan.

Duties of a SEE Host Ophthalmologist

  • Secure letters of invitation and clearances from appropriate health and civic authorities
  • Screen patients based on medical and socioeconomic status.
  • Encourage support and cooperation of other local ophthalmologists
  • Perform life-enhancing surgery together with visiting team
  • Supervise the eye clinic and exchange skills with the visiting affiliates
  • Administer post-operative patient care (immediate and long-range as required)
  • Provide in-country transportation and (when possible) food and lodging for the visiting surgical team
  • Possess a working knowledge of English or provide translators for the team if needed
  • Select an appropriate hospital or clinic facility

Duties of a SEE Visiting Ophthalmologist

  • Serve as volunteers and pay own travel expenses including airfare, excess baggage, accommodations, food, and transportation (if not provided by the host)
  • Perform life-enhancing surgery together with host ophthalmologist
  • Promote skills exchange and education with local ophthalmologists by assisting one another and presenting lectures on topics suggested by host

Our Patients

  • Underserved people in the community who would not otherwise have access to eye care
  • Prescreened (medically and socio-economically) by host ophthalmologists
  • Highest priority surgical cases are bilaterally blind patients who have a surgically correctable condition, e.g., bilateral cataracts
  • Receive post-operative follow up care from the host ophthalmologist.

SEE Clinic Facility

  • Ideally, equipped for ophthalmic surgery. Minimally, the facility must have an operating theater, running water, electricity, and proper sterilization techniques (preferably an autoclave)
  • Selective local staff prepared to manage patient flow and provide support to the team
  • Two or three operating tables so a number of eye surgeons can operate simultaneously, performing 50 to 100 cases in one week