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ACE Global (Advanced Center for Eyecare Global), an ophthalmologist-led 501(c)(3) organization based in the US and primarily active in Honduras, is delighted to officially join the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) community. We are eager to collaborate with fellow members in our shared mission to combat preventable blindness and vision impairment worldwide.
Our approach at ACE Global centers on building sustainable eye care solutions by empowering local professionals in developing countries. Founded by Dr. Kevin Barber, our philosophy emerged from his experiences in charitable surgical missions. Dr. Barber recognized that while short-term interventions were valuable, a more enduring impact could be achieved by investing in local capacity. This realization led to ACE Global’s commitment to training and mentorship.
Our primary strategy involves providing rigorous year-long fellowships to promising ophthalmology residency graduates at partnering local surgical facilities, refining their surgical skills and clinical expertise while restoring sight for individuals in need. Experienced volunteer surgeons from our teaching travel teams offer crucial long-distance guidance and on-site mentorship, further supporting the development of local ophthalmologists. We also conduct mentorship and training programs for current residents, as well as ophthalmic and surgical technicians, building a skilled local support network essential for high-volume surgical eye care delivery.
We are already witnessing the success of our model. Since 2020, 30 trainees have completed our programs that have provided 4,000+ life-changing surgeries and 12,000+ specialized consults. Many of our fellowship graduates are now actively involved in providing hands-on training for the next cohort of fellows and visiting global ophthalmology residents. Similarly, graduates of our surgical technician programs are now mentoring new technicians, demonstrating the powerful “trainee to trainer” cycle in action. This self-sustaining growth is key to addressing the significant backlog of preventable blindness within their own communities.
We know our model works, and we are thrilled to be in development of a standalone facility in Honduras with the capacity to perform 10,000 surgeries per year, which will host and continue to expand our programs. By empowering local ophthalmologists and allied health professionals, we believe we have found the most effective and enduring way to combat preventable blindness in Honduras and beyond. We are excited to share our experiences and learn from others within the IAPB community as we collectively work towards a world where everyone has access to quality eye care.
