Eye Love Africa

24/11/2025

What a blessing that partnerships continue to develop for the good of the country. In the words of Andrew Carnegie, “Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” Together we can simultaneously grow *quality* and *quantity*.
Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology
Cure Blindness Project

18/11/2025

Come join us in the beautiful city of Kigali and learn from some of the best minds in global ophthalmology. Application deadline: Dec 15, 2025
Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology

17/11/2025

What a privilege to return to my alma mater Wills Eye Hospital and share about global ophthalmology. I remain deeply grateful to have been trained by giants in the field like Drs. Jerry & Carol Shields and George Spaeth, whose influence continues to guide my work across the years and across continents. Honored to reconnect and to pass forward even a fraction of what they taught me.
Photo Credit: Roger Barone

10/11/2025

In just under 4 minutes, this 40-year-old man who had been bilaterally blind can see again — his life forever changed. And his story is just one of many. Over the last 3 days, 130 sight-restoring surgeries have taken place at Shyira Hospital. Alongside changing lives, RIIO residents gained invaluable hands-on training, learning to restore sight and hope for years to come. So proud of the RIIO team and grateful for partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology

04/10/2025

So proud of these three amazing RIIO graduates! 🎉 They’re the very first in all of Africa to earn *double* fellowships from COECSA and the Ophthalmology Foundation — an incredible achievement! They’re now moving on to serve patients in Rwanda and Kenya. May God bless and guide them as they bring healing and hope to their communities.
Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology

24/09/2025

"May you be richly blessed and live a long life." 💛 A heartfelt message from a grateful patient in Burundi — a beautiful reminder of the impact your support makes around the world. "

10/07/2025

The RIIO team has been working hard to get ready for this big event!

Learn more about this exciting project

08/07/2025

Eye Love Africa’s first in-person gathering on beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda was a joy and a success! Six ophthalmologists, two ophthalmic technicians, two holistic care providers, and two tag-along Cropseys came together to worship, pray, share stories, learn, and problem-solve as a team. We even tackled a ropes course and zip lines — first-time experiences for many!

Grateful for this incredible group of people serving the poor and restoring sight in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places. Their dedication and compassion are inspiring.

29/06/2025

At just 9 years old, Mambo had already experienced abandonment. After losing his sight, he was neglected by his family, denied care, and left to fend for himself.

Without help or hope, he survived in heartbreaking conditions: infested with jiggers, his fingers and toes severely damaged.

Just days ago, his uncle heard about the cataract surgery campaign happening in Nyunzu, DR Congo. Hoping for a miracle, he brought Mambo — after first buying him the clothes and sandals he’s wearing in the photo.

He was warmly welcomed and treated by Dr. Toney and team. Now, he can see again.

The emotion was indescribable when he looked around, eyes wide in wonder. When he saw his own photo on the phone, he smiled. For the first time in a long time, he recognized himself.

And when he was asked what he would like to do now that he can see, he replied:

👉 “*I want to go to school.*” 🥹

Restoring sight means restoring dignity, future, and hope.

28/06/2025

It was a record-breaking week as our partners provided over 700 cataract surgeries across 4 sites in DR Congo and Burundi!
Vision was restored for patients in Bunia & Nyunzu (DRC) and Bururi & Rutana (Burundi) through coordinated outreach efforts. Stay tuned for the stories behind these transformed lives. 👁️💛

08/05/2025

Meet a young man from Burundi whose life was turned upside down by cataracts — he lost his sight, his job, and even his fiancée. Desperate and in pain, he tried everything, including traditional healers, but nothing worked — until he met the Eye Love Africa Burundi team.

Thanks to your generous support and the incredible outreach work in Makamba, his sight has been restored. He’s filled with gratitude to God, the ELA team, and to you, our donors, who make these miracles possible.

With new vision and renewed hope, he says he’s looking forward to love again—and hopes to be engaged soon! 💍👁️💕

20/03/2025

So much great learning and teaching happened during RIIO’s latest outreach in Kabutare — junior faculty, global fellow, and senior resident got focused surgical experience; second year residents mastered their tunnels on another OR table; and first year residents learned biometry and blocking. Not to mention a 103-year-old man was so thrilled with his outcome that he begged the team to fix his hearing too! Great teamwork ! Thanks to for sponsoring this outreach and valuing the importance of patient care combined with training.