https://oceyeproject.org/, https://www.retinaglobal.org/ocep

Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA (2025)

11/03/2025

Our volunteers from the last clinic!

To these volunteers and all the volunteers who have served and will serve in the OCEP program...

You have brought light into the lives of others, by helping them get the best care they can get.

Your time, compassion, and dedication has helped people see the world more clearly, and that is a gift beyond measure.

The kindness in your hands, the concern in your voice, the patience in your hearts, and the smiles you share make all the difference.

Volunteering isn’t just about giving your time—it’s about giving a piece of yourself.

Thank you for being the vision behind our mission, and for proving that when we care together, we truly change lives.

Photos by Susan Davis ().

11/01/2025

Dr. Jack Margines, currently at UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute at UC Irvine School of Medicine, is the Retina Specialist today at the OCEP Clinic.

We appreciate and thank Dr. Margines for his time and expertise evaluating and treating patients, as well as teaching those who shadow him.

Thank you to all the volunteers and OCEP personnel in the clinic today.

Want to help us make a difference? 👁️💫

You can support the work we do at OCEP in two simple ways:
💻 Donate online: https://bit.ly/ocepdonate

✉️ Or send a check to “Retina Global” at:
Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705
📝 Don’t forget to write “OCEP” on the memo line!

Every donation helps us bring quality, compassionate eye care to those who need it most. Thank you for your kindness and support! 💙

10/31/2025

🎃👀 Happy Halloween! Keep Your Eyes Spooky—but Safe! 👀🎃

Halloween is all fun and fright until something really scary happens—like an eye injury!

Here are some quick tips to keep your eyes safe this spooky season:

🧛‍♀️ 1. Beware of Costume Contacts: Only use FDA-approved contact lenses from a licensed provider. Decorative lenses bought online or in costume shops can cause serious infections or even vision loss.

💄 2. Use Eye-Safe Makeup: Choose hypoallergenic, non-toxic products, and avoid applying makeup too close to your eyes. Remove it completely before bed!

🕷️ 3. Mind Your Masks: Make sure masks or costume accessories don’t block your vision—especially when walking in dark or crowded areas.

🔦 4. Light the Way: Carry a flashlight or wear reflective gear to stay visible (and avoid tripping over haunted décor!).

👁️ 5. If Something Gets in Your Eye: Don’t rub! Rinse gently with clean water and seek medical care if irritation continues.

Stay spooky, stay safe, and keep those eyes glowing (the right way)! ✨

10/30/2025

Amber, a medical student at Loma Linda University Health School of Medicine, presenting a case to Dr. Andrew Smith, Cataract and Glaucoma Specialist at UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute and UC Irvine School of Medicine, during the OCEP Clinic last week.

At our clinics, medical students review patient histories and present cases to Providers. This process not only helps Providers get an overview of each patient’s condition before seeing them, but also trains students to think critically — to identify what’s essential and communicate it effectively.

In an era where efficiency often overshadows depth, we remain committed to nurturing clinical acumen in the next generation of healthcare professionals. 🌟

Thank you Dr. Smith and Amber for your dedication and time! 🙏

Support our mission and help us continue providing free, quality eye care to those who need it most.

💻 Donate online: https://bit.ly/ocepdonate

✉️ Or send a check to “Retina Global” at:
Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705
📝 Don’t forget to write “OCEP” on the memo line!

Every donation helps us bring quality, compassionate eye care to those who need it most. Thank you for your kindness and support! 💙

10/29/2025

Giving full attention to the patient - it is important for a healthcare specialist to let the patient tell their issues before suggesting remedies for them.

Dr. Andrew Smith, Cataract and Glaucoma Specialist at UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute and Faculty at UC Irvine School of Medicine, listens to the patient tell him the issues they face, while Adrianna and Ryan listen in.

In these age and times of business of healthcare, many eye clinics focus on minimizing patient interaction time, and monitoring how much time you spend with the patient, we are appreciative of and thankful to our Providers for taking the time to listen to the patient's issues and providing meaningful solutions to them. Thank you Dr. Smith, and to all our Providers.

This is an excellent learning environment for our volunteers who are all targeting healthcare careers in their future, to observe and learn about bedside manners, patience, a keen mind to ask relevant questions, and how to lead the patient to respond to relevant questions.

Want to help us make a difference? 👁️💫

You can support the work we do at OCEP in two simple ways:
💻 Donate online: https://bit.ly/ocepdonate

✉️ Or send a check to “Retina Global” at:
Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705
📝 Don’t forget to write “OCEP” on the memo line!

Every donation helps us bring quality, compassionate eye care to those who need it most. Thank you for your kindness and support! 💙

10/29/2025

At the Orange County Eye Project, our motto is simple: "Assisting a patient is our priority." 🌟

We’re proud of our incredible team - in this picture, our volunteers, Ryan, Amber, Kashvi, Aidan, and many others - are working together to provide the information and support that every patient deserves. 🤝

Our volunteers are dedicated to making sure every patient is treated with kindness, respect, and compassion—and they consistently deliver on that promise! 💙

Together, we’re more than just a team; we’re a community committed to improving lives, one patient at a time. 💫

Want to help us make a difference? 👁️💫

You can support the work we do at OCEP in two simple ways:
💻 Donate online: https://bit.ly/ocepdonate

✉️ Or send a check to “Retina Global” at:
Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705
📝 Don’t forget to write “OCEP” on the memo line!

Every donation helps us bring quality, compassionate eye care to those who need it most. Thank you for your kindness and support! 💙

10/28/2025

The team from last week's OCEP Free Eye Surgery day.

We appreciate Dr. Matthew Wade, Ophthalmologist and Cataract and Cornea Specialist at UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute UC Irvine School of Medicine who found the time to operate on these cases with advanced cataract and pterygium. Thank you Dr. Wade.

We also appreciate BioTissue Ocular for providing with the amniotic membranes for the patients with advanced pterygium. We value your support and know that your help will mean a lot to these patients in terms of prevention of recurrences. Thank you.

Thank you Dr. Faris Ghosheh and Advanced Eye Medical Group for providing us with the OR facilities for these surgeries, and to the team members in the OR who work diligently with the patients and our staff to make sure these surgeries take place in time. Thank you all.

Thank you Gaby from OCEP and to Jonathan Lam, Med Student at California University of Science and Medicine, who was the observer for these surgeries, for your help and support before, during and after the surgeries.

Want to help us with these free surgeries and make a difference? 👁️

You can support the work we do at OCEP in two simple ways:
💻 Donate online: https://bit.ly/ocepdonate

✉️ Or send a check to “Retina Global” at:
Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705
📝 Don’t forget to write “OCEP” on the memo line!

Every donation helps us bring quality, compassionate eye care to those who need it most. Thank you for your kindness and support! 💙

10/27/2025

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Matthew Wade, Ophthalmologist, Cataract and Cornea Specialist at UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute and UC Irvine School of Medicine, for his dedicated volunteer work as the surgeon during last Friday's OCEP Free Eye Surgery Program.

We specially thank BioTissue Ocular for their kind donation of the cryopreserved amniotic membrane for surgeries.

Special thanks also go to Dr. Faris Ghosheh and the team at Advanced Eye Medical Group (AEMG) for their invaluable support in performing the surgeries in their state-of-the-art operating rooms. We are deeply grateful for their collaboration.

We were fortunate to have Jonathan Lam, a medical student from California University of Science and Medicine, observing the surgeries, as well as Gaby from OCEP, who played a key role in assisting with patients scheduled for surgery. Thank you both for your contributions.

How You Can Help -
We invite you to support our OCEP Free Eye Surgery Program. You can sponsor one surgery or even a full day of surgeries. Every contribution helps us continue to provide free eye care to those in need.

For more information on how to support us, please reach out to us at info@retinaglobal.org.

Thank you again to all who made this day a success!

You can support the work we do at OCEP in two simple ways:
💻 Donate online: https://bit.ly/ocepdonate

✉️ Or send a check to “Retina Global” at:
Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705
📝 Don’t forget to write “OCEP” on the memo line!

Every donation helps us bring quality, compassionate eye care to those who need it most. Thank you for your kindness and support! 💙

10/23/2025

We continue our Free Eye Surgeries Program under the Orange County Eye Project (OCEP)! 👁️💙

Tomorrow’s surgeries will be performed by Dr. Matthew Wade, Ophthalmologist and Cornea Specialist at UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute.

Dr. Wade will be performing cataract and pterygium surgeries, helping restore clear vision for patients in need.

A heartfelt thank you to BioTissue Holdings Inc. Ocular for their generous donation of cryopreserved amniotic membrane grafts for our pterygium patients — these grafts help reduce recurrence in patients with advanced pterygium. 🌿

We also extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Faris Ghosheh and the team at Advanced Eye Medical Group for providing the surgical facilities and continued support.

Together, we make sight possible. 💫

Your support helps us continue providing quality eye care to those in need.

If you wish to contribute to the work we do at OCEP, you can:
1️⃣ Donate online: https://bit.ly/ocepdonate

2️⃣ Mail a check:
Payable to “Retina Global”
Address: Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Memo line: “OCEP”

Every contribution—big or small—helps us make a lasting difference in our community. Thank you for your generosity and support. 💙

10/21/2025

What's going on there? Why is everyone looking up?

We have a monitor in the hallway that relays the exam room activity for those outside the rooms to see.

Since we have more than a few people in the clinic, we request our people including volunteers to make sure they do not startle the patient or the provider while they are involved in a procedure, an eye exam, or a conversation. We also ask those wanting to enter the exam rooms to be careful and open the door carefully - since the Provider needs a darker space when they are examining the patient.

Our volunteers make sure they stay vigilant of the need for patients and the providers to be provided the comfort they need while getting examined or while examining. In the picture, Mimi, Amanda and Situ check the monitor.

We appreciate our volunteers for making sure they open the doors carefully or close them as silently as possible. Thank you.

If you wish to support the work we do, you can either (1) donate online at https://bit.ly/ocepdonate; or (2) send us a check to "Retina Global" to the address "Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705", with the memo line "OCEP".

Thank you.

10/20/2025

Sometimes the best moments at OCEP happen in the hallways… between patients, between exams, between helping hands.

Our volunteers aren’t just caring for eyes—they’re sharing stories, swapping tips, and building friendships that make our clinic feel like a family. 💬👩⚕️👨⚕️💙

It’s these small conversations that make a big difference. Thank you to all our volunteers for bringing heart, humor, and connection to every corner of OCEP!

Want to help us make a difference? 👁️💫

You can support the work we do at OCEP in two simple ways:
💻 Donate online: https://bit.ly/ocepdonate

✉️ Or send a check to “Retina Global” at:
Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705
📝 Don’t forget to write “OCEP” on the memo line!

Every donation helps us bring quality, compassionate eye care to those who need it most. Thank you for your kindness and support! 💙

10/20/2025

Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Don Serafano met with Chrystal Clarke from Alcon Foundation during the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting 2025 in to discuss the Orange County Eye Project, which has been supported by Alcon Foundation.

It was a great opportunity to connect, provide feedback on the OCEP program, share insights, and discuss ways to advance eye care and initiatives that make a strong and sustained difference in our communities.

Want to help us make a difference? 👁️💫

You can support the work we do at OCEP in two simple ways:
💻 Donate online: https://bit.ly/ocepdonate

✉️ Or send a check to “Retina Global” at:
Orange County Eye Project, 801 N Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705
📝 Don’t forget to write “OCEP” on the memo line!

Every donation helps us bring quality, compassionate eye care to those who need it most. Thank you for your kindness and support! 💙

Orange County Eye Project

11/03/2025

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