BelizeKids.org, in conjunction with the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), the San Pedro Lions Club, and Stanford University, established the Stanford Belize Vision Clinic (SBVC) in 2017 to address the critical need for accessible vision care on Ambergris Caye.
Foundational Partnerships
The clinic's inception was made possible through Don Listwin, founder of BelizeKids.org and the Canary Foundation, whose philanthropic vision aimed to fill systemic gaps in pediatric healthcare on the island. His collaboration with Dr. Ann Caroline Fisher, a Stanford ophthalmologist, ensured the clinic's integration into both global health education and community-specific needs.
The SBVC operates through a unique tripartite partnership:
- BelizeKids.org provides funding and logistical support
- Stanford University contributes medical expertise through rotating teams of ophthalmologists, residents, and equipment
- BCVI and the San Pedro Lions Club offer localized continuity of care, including subsidized eyewear and referrals for advanced treatments
Services and Impact
While prioritizing children, the SBVC adopts an inclusive approach:
- Free comprehensive screenings for minors, including assessments for refractive errors, strabismus, amblyopia, and congenital conditions
- Subsidized adult services initially free, later transitioning to nominal fees to offset operational costs
- Advanced diagnostic tools such as phoropters for precise prescription determination and slit lamps for detecting anterior segment pathologies
During its inaugural year (2017), the clinic conducted five sessions, serving approximately 30 patients daily. By 2020, services expanded to week-long clinics held multiple times annually.
Educational Integration
The SBVC serves as a training site for Stanford ophthalmology residents, offering hands-on experience in low-resource settings. This aligns with the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health's mission to develop replicable models for international eye care.
In 2021, Dr. Steven Binder and Dr. Natacha Villegas from Stanford resumed travel to SBVC after a COVID-related pause. They examined over 60 patients, ranging from pediatric ages to older adults, providing glasses for students and diagnosing various eye conditions.
"Seeing how corrective lenses could impact a student's entire learning experience was impactful. This trip grew my desire to continue providing care to patients of varying cultures and backgrounds, and to seek out other global health opportunities in the future."
Ongoing Challenges and Future Plans
As the sole eye clinic on Ambergris Caye, when Stanford teams are not present, patients either go without eye care or must travel to the mainland or neighboring countries. To address this gap, SBVC has trained a local ophthalmic technician to perform basic vision screening, first via Zoom and then in person.
Future plans include:
- Expanding teleophthalmology care to link patients with Stanford and local providers
- Increasing the frequency of Stanford medical team visits
- Training more local practitioners to provide continuity of care
The success of this initiative demonstrates how transnational partnerships can address pediatric health disparities and create sustainable healthcare solutions for underserved communities.