Dear friends and supporters,

For over 30 years, Eyesight International (Canada) worked to restore sight to those suffering from unnecessary blindness. Our partner in India, the LV Prasad Eye Institute, became the largest corneal surgeon training program globally, and their Eye Bank grew to be among the largest in the world.
 
We took great pride in what was accomplished, but in 2025, it was time to pass the torch. ESI wound down its operations that year and ceased accepting donations on September 13, 2025. We remain deeply grateful to everyone who supported the work started by our founder, Dr. Paul Dubord. Over the decades, your generosity helped make a difference for so many.

Dear friends and supporters,

For over 30 years, Eyesight International (Canada) worked to restore sight to those suffering from unnecessary blindness. Our partner in India, the LV Prasad Eye Institute, became the largest corneal surgeon training program globally, and their Eye Bank grew to be among the largest in the world.
 
We took great pride in what was accomplished, but in 2025, it was time to pass the torch. ESI wound down its operations that year and ceased accepting donations on September 13, 2025. We remain deeply grateful to everyone who supported the work started by our founder, Dr. Paul Dubord. Over the decades, your generosity helped make a difference for so many.

Why we helped

Over 12.5 million people are needlessly Corneal Blind

 More than 12.5 million people were needlessly corneal blind. More than 1.5 million, including 350,000 infants, became corneal blind every year, with profound impacts on caregivers as well as the blind. Over 95% lived in lower- and middle-income countries. Corneal transplants could cure 80% of them.

ESI provided a way.

Blind old man

Achievements

Education of Health Care Professionals

ESI and partners have trained more corneal surgeons globally than anyone else, with women comprising over 50% of trainees.

In 2023, ESI established the Dr. Paul Dubord Resident Education Award which funds UBC Ophthalmology Residents to acquire training at the LVPEI.

Corneal Transplantation

ESI helped the LVPEI develop the world’s largest corneal transplant service  in Hyderabad India, performing 2,700+ annually – more than all of Canada.

Transfer of Expertise

Since 1992, ESI pioneered hospital-based donation and, in 2020, developed a management system for eye banks in developing nations.

Eye Banking

ESI expertise helped establish the world’s largest eye bank in India, providing over 5,000 corneas annually for transplants.

The man behind ESI’s vision

Dr. Paul J. Dubord 

(1951-2022)

 

Dr. Paul J. Dubord (1951–2022) was a renowned corneal surgeon and the visionary founder of Eyesight International. A Professor Emeritus at UBC, he was a global leader in eye banking, instrumental in developing safety standards with the WHO and Health Canada.

His work spanned the globe—particularly in India through a lasting partnership with the LV Prasad Eye Institute. In recognition of his tireless humanitarian efforts to restore sight, Dr. Dubord was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.

– Helen Keller