Bihar, India Program Details

Program Overview

Unite For Sight volunteers work with ophthalmologist Dr. Satyajit Sinha (cataract and glaucoma specialist), his father ophthalmologist Dr. Ajit Sinha (2005 President of All India Ophthalmological Society), and his wife ophthalmologist Dr. Pooja Sinha (retina specialist). The family of ophthalmologists operate A.B. Eye Institute in Patna, India.

AB Eye Institute and Charity Outreach Clinics
Volunteers work with the Sinhas from early morning to late evening, including a full afternoon each day providing free care to poor patients in charity clinics. Those patients diagnosed with cataracts at the charity clinics receive free surgery sponsored by Unite For Sight. Unite For Sight volunteers assist the ophthalmologists and staff of AB Eye Institute at the clinic and in the outreach programs.

School For Blind Girls
The Sinha family not only eradicates blindness and eye disease. They also founded and operate Bihar Netraheen Parishad, which is the only school in Bihar exclusively for blind girls. Bihar Netraheen Parishad's goal is to reduce social stigma and to provide the girls with a quality education. Unite For Sight volunteers have an opportunity to visit the school and meet the girls.

Who Can Volunteer

This program is suitable to anyone 18 years and older who has an interest in international service and health. Volunteers range from gap year students, undergraduate students, and medical students to public health students, public health professionals, nurses, educators, opticians, optometrists, ophthalmology residents, ophthalmologists, filmmakers, photographers, and others.

What Volunteers Do

Standard Volunteers
Volunteers work daily with the eye doctors to screen for cataracts and eye disease in charity clinics and in rural locations. Patients requiring ophthalmic care and surgery are brought to A.B. Eye Institute for diagnosis and treatment. Volunteers also record visual acuity, take patient histories, recognize common eye disease, learn to use the autorefractor, and assist in the operating room. Volunteers participate in school screening programs as well. Volunteers can also choose to pursue significant time at the eye clinic to learn a skill such as refraction or use of the slit lamp.
Additionally, volunteers have an opportunity to pursue independent research projects under the guidance of ophthalmologists and optometrists at the eye clinic. Those interested in pursuing research are encouraged to view the video about Bihar volunteer Kristin Ow Chapman's research project.
Eye Care Professionals
Ophthalmologists work with the Sinha family of ophthalmologists to provide eye care and surgery. Pediatric ophthalmologist volunteers are especially needed since there is no pediatric ophthalmologist for the entire state of Bihar.
Ophthalmology Residents and Ophthalmologist-in-Training
Ophthalmology residents and ophthalmologists-in-training have an opportunity to receive training in SICS and phaco.
Filmmaker and Photography Volunteers
Unite For Sight filmmaker and photographer volunteers document the voices of patients who receive sight-restoring eye care through Unite For Sight programs. The videos and photos promote awareness and information about global eye care needs and also demonstrate the commitment and dedication of Unite For Sight's local partner eye doctors who work tirelessly to provide eye care to those living in extreme poverty. The opportunity allows students, filmmakers, and photographers an opportunity to learn about development issues while making a significant impact.

Living and Lodging

The volunteers lodge in the air conditioned home of the Sinha family of ophthalmologists. Living and lodging expenses are $15/day, plus approximately $10/day for food expenses.

Special Section For Students: Academic Credit, Clinical Rotations, and Research

This program is suitable for undergraduate and public health students interested in pursuing an internship for academic credit, as well as for medical and optometry students interested in pursuing a clinical rotation for academic credit. You should consult your academic institution regarding how you can arrange this type of course credit. Unite For Sight will complete necessary paperwork required of your university so that you can receive academic credit. Please read the Academic Credit section of the Unite For Sight website.

This program is also appropriate for undergraduate students, medical students, optometry students, and public health students who would like to pursue a research project, which requires that the student have a faculty mentor at their home institution as well as IRB approval. Those interested in research should read the Entrepreneurial Volunteering section of the Unite For Sight website.