As a Research Associate at Kensington Health with a deep interest in Global Ophthalmology, my work is shaped by a desire to learn from diverse clinical settings and contribute to sustainable improvements in vision care. After graduating from St. George's Hospital Medical School at the University of London, UK, and joining the Orbis Future Vision Leaders program to collaborate with like-minded peers committed to global eye health, I sought opportunities that would allow me to grow while meaningfully supporting communities in need. That is what led me to volunteer with the Armenian EyeCare Project’s medical mission - a chance to work alongside dedicated local teams and deepen my understanding of what compassionate, equitable ophthalmic care truly looks like.
What I Learned on an Ophthalmology Mission in Armenia
Carmen Balian, an Orbis Future Vision Leader at the University of Toronto and Research Associate at Kensington Health with a deep interest in Global Ophthalmology, recently volunteered on a week-long medical mission with the Armenian EyeCare Project.
In September 2025, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Armenian EyeCare Project (AECP) on a week-long medical mission in Armenia. This was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had, both professionally and personally. It was an experience that not only strengthened my passion for ophthalmology but also reminded me of the deep human connection that underlies the practice of medicine.
AECP’s mission is clear: to provide eye care to communities that do not always have easy access to specialists, and to support the ongoing work of preventing avoidable blindness. Over the past 30 years, AECP has done just that: transforming the landscape of eye care in Armenia.
Our team visited several eye care centers across the country, working alongside local ophthalmologists, residents, and clinical staff. Each day brought something different ranging from surgical teaching sessions, patient consultations, and discussions about new approaches to eye care delivery. I joined the mission as a volunteer student, eager to learn and contribute wherever I could. From the first day, I was struck by the dedication of the local doctors and the resilience of their patients.
AECP Medical Mission 2025 volunteers examining local patients
One of the most memorable moments from the trip was when a patient received the gift of sight after nearly a decade of waiting in the dark. He suffered from a chemical injury to the eye which led him through several reconstruction procedures. The final step was to transplant an artificial cornea in hopes of restoring his vision. This rare surgery was performed by a team of doctors from the mission alongside a local ophthalmologist. When the patient’s bandages were removed, there was a quiet pause in the room before reality set in. The patient blinked several times as his eyes adjusted to the light. Then, with a smile breaking across his face, he whispered one word: “Finally”. That simple word carried so much weight. It captured not only his relief and gratitude but also the years of perseverance it had taken to reach that moment.
Beyond the surgeries, much of our work focused on education. We met with residents and local ophthalmologists, sharing techniques, discussing complex cases, and learning from one another. AECP’s model of sustainable healthcare, empowering local teams through training and resources, was evident in every clinic we visited. It wasn’t just about performing surgeries or assessing patients during the mission; it was about building capacity so that high-quality care could continue long after we left.
Leaving Armenia, I thought back to that patient and his single word “Finally”. For him, it marked the end of a long journey toward restored vision. For me, it was the beginning of a renewed commitment to serve, to teach, and to continue learning from those who dedicate their lives to restoring sight around the world. I learned the importance of collaboration, humility, and adaptability. I also gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges many healthcare systems face, and the creativity required to overcome them.
The most fulfilling part of the trip was realizing that even though my role may have been small in the grand scheme of the project, my contribution served a much larger purpose; when you are part of a team focused on healing, teaching, and empowering, every action ripples towards a benefit, affecting not just the patients, but their families, their futures, and their communities. I came home with a full heart and a renewed sense of purpose. There is so much need in the world, and most times it only takes a short time to make a difference.
If you're ever given the opportunity to serve on a medical mission, I encourage you to take it. Not only will you help others, but you will also gain far more in return than you ever expected.
