At Opticare Vision Center, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality eye care, no matter where they live. At the end of 2024, Dr. Keith Sellers and Dr. Kristin Gunn had the incredible opportunity to travel to Belize on a vision mission trip, providing much-needed eye care to local children, teachers, and community members.
Why Belize?
For Dr. Sellers, this trip was the fulfillment of a long-held goal. "I have always wanted to go on a mission trip to provide vision services to Central or South America, and now that I am semi-retired, I have the time to do it," he shared. After meeting Dr. Karen Weber at an optometry conference and learning about her past experiences in Belize, he knew this was the right opportunity to make a difference.
Preparation and Partnership
Before departing, the team gathered donations of sunglasses, reading glasses, and portable eye exam equipment. In Belize, they partnered with the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving vision care in the country. BCVI played a crucial role in organizing school vision screenings and providing prescription eyeglasses to those in need.
A Typical Day on the Mission
Each morning, the team loaded up their equipment and headed to a different primary school in Belize City. Once on-site, they set up an exam area and began vision screenings. The days were long, often starting at 8:30 AM and wrapping up by 3:00 PM, with a short break for lunch. Over three days, the doctors screened and examined more than 500 students, teachers, and community members, ensuring that those with vision problems received the care they needed.
The Impact of Vision Care
While many of the vision issues they encountered were common—nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism—the impact of their work was profound. One particular moment stood out to Dr. Sellers: "One early teen was having trouble seeing at a distance. When I demonstrated what glasses could do for his vision, he was amazed and had the biggest smile."
For many children, receiving an eye exam and a pair of glasses could make a significant difference in their ability to learn and succeed in school. "Doing eye exams for the school kids and correcting any vision problems they have will greatly impact their learning and improve the overall education system of the area," Dr. Sellers explained.
Challenges Along the Way
Providing high-quality care in Belize came with its challenges. Some exam techniques required a darkened space, but many classrooms had large windows that let in natural light. The team had to adjust their setup each day to work with the available conditions. Additionally, the heat and lack of air conditioning made for long, exhausting days.
Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
This trip was a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to have access to quality eye care in the U.S. "If Americans could experience what it is like to live in a poor country like Belize, they would appreciate how well we have it here," Dr. Sellers reflected. "We take for granted that if you have a vision problem, you simply make an appointment and get it taken care of. In Belize, there is little or no vision care."
Inspired by this experience, Dr. Sellers and Dr. Gunn plan to return to Belize for future volunteer trips.
How You Can Help
Opticare Vision Center covered transportation costs within Belize, but additional support is always needed. Donations can help fund future trips and provide free glasses and sunglasses to those in need.
If you’re interested in supporting or participating in future vision mission trips, we would love to hear from you. Together, we can continue to bring the gift of sight to those who need it most.
Our Mission Continues
At Opticare Vision Center, our mission has always been to provide the best eye care possible while treating our patients like family. Extending this mission beyond our local community to Belize was an incredibly rewarding experience. We are proud to use our skills to help others and look forward to many more opportunities to give back.