HUMANITARIAN outreach
Our global impact
At Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank (SDSEB), we believe in the transformative power of the “gift of sight.” Every year, millions of people worldwide suffer from corneal diseases that lead to blindness or severe visual impairment—conditions that can often be treated through corneal transplants. In 2020 alone, there were 12 million cases of corneal disease, many of which are preventable or treatable with proper medical care. As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to helping patients around the world access the sight-restoring surgeries they need.
In 2020, there were 12 million corneal disease cases worldwide that resulted in blindness or visual impairment – that can be reversed with corneal transplants.
Through partnerships with physicians both in the U.S. and across the globe, SDSEB works to address curable blindness by providing corneal tissue for transplant. Our humanitarian efforts extend far beyond local borders, and we’ve supported countless disadvantaged communities in need of ophthalmic care. Our international mission trips have taken our surgeons and partners to the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, and Africa, where access to specialized eye care is limited. These efforts have had a lasting impact, not only by directly treating patients, but also by empowering local medical professionals. Through our missions, we train physicians, ophthalmic nurses, and technicians, equipping them with the skills to continue providing eye care in their own communities.
In 2024, we provided corneal tissue to over 30 countries.
ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital
One of the leaders of the international effort to treat those suffering from corneal blindness is Dr. Mark J. Mannis, Medical Director for SDSEB. Dr. Mannis has traveled on multiple missions around the world as part of the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital, an ophthalmic teaching hospital aboard an airplane. Flying Eye Hospital has traveled to over 95 countries, educating eye care professionals in communities around the world on a variety of topics, such as Mannis’ comprehensive skills exchange program aimed at strengthening the field of corneal surgery and raising awareness of eye care related conditions.
Mission: Honduras
Dr. Patricia Sierra is another leader of international effort who travels to Honduras to enhance lives with the Gift of Sight. Since 2012, more than 600 corneal grafts have been processed and transplanted to bring patients a better quality of life. SDSEB donated PKP, DALK, and DSAEK tissues to perform these transplants as well as tissue for teaching and wet labs with Honduran ophthalmology residents.
Our work is not over
Since our founding 50 years ago, SDSEB has been at the forefront of providing life-changing sight restoration to patients in need. What began as a collaboration with local Lions Clubs has evolved into a far-reaching network of partnerships that span worldwide. In 2024 alone, we distributed corneal tissue to over 30 countries, restoring sight and improving quality of life for over 10,000 patients since the early 2000s
We are proud of the work we do and remain dedicated to ensuring that every individual in need can receive the gift of sight, both domestically and abroad, with the highest standards of care and quality.
Get involved
Help us restore sight and impact the lives of even more people in need by considering joining the organ, eye, and tissue donor registration or making a financial contribution to fund our future missions and ophthalmic research.
