Our sights are set on solving one of the biggest global health problems of our time.
Our Vision
At the Global Retina Project, we envision a world where every individual, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location, has access to quality eye care. We believe that eyesight is a fundamental human right, and we are determined to make this vision a reality.
Our Story
Blindness from retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal vein occlusion is widespread in communities lacking access to specialized eye care. Recognizing this critical gap, Ethan James, a medical student at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and aspiring vitreoretinal specialist, founded the Global Retina Project to transform the landscape of retina care worldwide. He envisioned a model that combines portable, point-of-care retinal imaging, on-site laser treatment for urgent cases, and structured referral pathways to local specialists, ensuring that patients in underserved communities receive timely, high-quality care. Driven by the belief that clear vision is a fundamental human right, Ethan sought to create sustainable systems that not only treat disease but also empower local providers and strengthen healthcare infrastructure. Today, the Global Retina Project has brought retina-focused services to multiple communities, trained healthcare professionals, and implemented lasting programs that reduce the global burden of preventable blindness.
Our Mission
Our mission is to eradicate preventable blindness and visual impairment caused by retinal diseases by offering accessible, high-quality eye care services to underserved communities worldwide. We achieve this through a threefold approach:
1. Point-of-Care Retinal Disease Screening
We bring portable, high-resolution imaging technology directly into underserved communities, enabling early detection of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, and other sight-threatening diseases. By meeting patients where they are, we overcome barriers of geography, cost, and infrastructure that too often delay diagnosis until vision is irreversibly lost.
2. Treatment and Management
Detection is only the first step. Our teams provide on-site laser treatments for proliferative diabetic retinopathy, portable OCT-guided monitoring, and referral pathways for advanced care when necessary. By integrating treatment with education and follow-up systems, we empower patients to take control of their eye health and reduce the long-term burden of blindness.
3. Global Connection and Equity
Lasting impact requires more than one-time interventions. We partner with local physicians, governments, and global organizations to build capacity, transfer knowledge, and strengthen healthcare systems. Through training programs, shared resources, and equitable access initiatives, we ensure that quality retinal care is not a privilege, but a universal right.
