1976 Mexico, 100th anniversary of the Hospital oftalmologico de la luz

I admit this one is cheating, even more than the others. The Hospital de la Luz in Chiapas is not directly related to the one in Mexico City (which is referenced in the stamp). But the doctor who started this one did his training in the CDMX one. So still a tenuous connection, right? This Hospital de la Luz is a supporter of the local projects here in Chiapas.

#philately #philatelyforgood #almostbutnotquitextremephilately

1975 Ethiopia, Jesus heals a blind man.

Our surgical teams aren't Jesus, but they do use their hands (and tools) to restore sight to the blind. I can't go to the OR while they're doing surgery, but I was able to go to the next-day post-op check up when patient's eyepatches come off and they can see again.

We did 276 eye exams, 140 surgeries, 135 consults for further treatment; gave out 115 distance glasses, 215 readers, and 192 sunglasses. #philatelyforgood #almostbutnotquitextremephilately

1978 Austria I0th world congress of the international diabetes federation. (Diabetic retinopathy, but my ophtho friend says it's not anatomically correct)

Station 5: When the eye exam turns up more complicated issues, the patient is referred to our ophthalmologist for further examination. From there, the patient may be scheduled for surgery on the next project or with local partners if needed.

#philately #philatelyforgood #almostbutnotquitextremephilately

1979 Finland Elinkeinovapaus näringsfrihet (Free business) focusing on the optical in the front.

Station 4: #glasses!
If a patient needs glasses, we do our best to match them with a pair from our stock of over 5000 donated glasses. If no match, we give a pair of frames so they can get lenses fitted.

Donated glasses get cleaned, sorted, catalogued in the computer, labelled, boxed, and shipped to the destination.

#philately #philatelyforgood #almostbutnotquitextremephilately

Station 3: Optometry

Patients get an eye exam, but perhaps the equipment is a little more portable than you're used to. Instead of twisting and turning dials on a #phoropter to test #refraction, the optometrists add and remove lenses on an #armazonesprobador (testing frames).

#philately #philatelyforgood #almostbutnotquitextremephilately

(Station 2 didn't happen on this project, we're not crazy... Maybe)

Pan-Arab Council of Ophthalmology (PACO) Syria 1993

Station 1: Visual Acuity
The first station is a pre-screen foe a starting point for the optometrists. You're familiar with eye charts on the wall; we use the "Tumbling E" cube so it's not static (it's in view of the waiting area). It's helpful for illiterate patients, they point which way the lines are pointing.

#philately #philatelyforgood
#almostbutnotquitextremephilately

I love this one too much, so it's not part of the giveaway ❤️

I'm now on project and will share some #almostbutnotquitextremephilately

Germany 1977: Johann Eisenbarth travelled with a large entourage... This group included entertainers, harlequins and musicians who performed in a carnival-like atmosphere while Eisenbarth was operating... the loud music helped drown out the cries of pain from his patients. - History of Ophthalmology told by Postage Stamps

Station 0: Patients get anesthetics, but we do an opening presentation and then sing our team song