Local Ophthalmologist Distributes Donated Eyeglasses in Uganda

 Ophthalmologist Dr. Lee Walker recently returned from a mission trip to Uganda where he provided medical care and distributed almost 400 pairs of eyeglasses donated during the collection drive sponsored by North Mississippi Medical Center and Tupelo Lions Club.

“Seeing their smiles and their faces light up after giving them glasses was wonderful,” Dr. Walker says. “I hope it significantly changes their lives for years to come.” Dr. Walker’s group set up medical clinics in and around the cities of Masaka and Jinja. Much of their time was spent in small, rural villages located 20 minutes to an hour outside these cities.

“The people receiving the glasses either couldn’t afford glasses that were prescribed for them or couldn’t even afford an eye exam before we came,” Dr. Walker says. “We distributed different medications as well, but glasses were one of the most popular items.”

To support mission projects like Dr. Walker's in Uganda and outreach closer to home, NMMC partners with the Lions Club for an annual glasses drive.

The glasses gathered through the drives have supported mission trips in Ecuador and Honduras as well as local free clinics. The 2023 glasses drive gathered close to 800 pairs.

Dr. Walker’s mission trip in Uganda

Ugandan Medical Clinic

Cheri Harbour, an occupational therapist with NMMC’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Center, collected close to 800 pairs of donated glasses for mission projects around the world.