The Problem​

Too young for Medicare. Too active to wait.

$3,000–$7,000

Average cash-pay cost per eye for cataract surgery

There is a group of people no one wants to talk about, the uninsured patient, in the 55-65 age range, slowly losing their sight to cataracts.

Dr. Lavery saw these patients in his practice every day: people who didn’t qualify for public assistance, couldn’t afford insurance, and faced a bill of thousands of dollars for the surgery that would restore their vision and their independence.

Gift of Sight was founded to close this gap — to ensure that cost is never the reason someone loses their sight.

What We Do​

The ways we restore sight and dignity.

Surgical Program icon

Surgical Program

We fund medically necessary cataract procedures for uninsured patients who cannot afford care — giving back the vision they need to live and work independently.

Education icon

Education

We invest in educational resources and training so staff and doctors have the best knowledge to serve their community.

Our Impact​

A small foundation making real differences.

6+

Surgeons Involved

2021

Year Founded

2

States Served

54

Eyes Treated

Patient Stories​

Sight restored.
Lives changed.

“I’m counting on the fact that there will be more sunshine in my life.”

Kathleen

Patient story 1
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Nationwide Coverage​

In the News

WLIX Report on Gift of Sight

Surgeons in Jackson give patients the gift of sight

WLIX in Lansing, MI reports on how surgeons are providing the “Gift of Sight” by performing free, life-changing cataract surgeries for local residents in need.

Doctors grant the gift of sight to those in need in Jackson County

MLive highlights the “mission trip” brought home to Jackson by Blake Woods Medical Park doctors, waiving all costs to restore vision for uninsured patients.

40+

Years of Experience

Meet Our Founder

Kevin T. Lavery, M.D.

With more than 40 years in ophthalmology, Dr. Kevin Lavery has dedicated his career to restoring vision — first through remote surgical missions abroad, and then, when Covid grounded international travel in 2021, right here at home. Recognizing that uninsured adults in his own community were going blind from cataracts they couldn’t afford to treat, he rallied physicians, staff, and industry partners to launch the Gift of Sight Program — a hometown mission to ensure no one loses their sight simply because they can’t pay for surgery.

“You do not need to go out of the country to help people. There was in fact a need for a ‘Hometown Mission.”

— Dr. Kevin Lavery

Your gift restores sight

Every dollar you give goes directly to the program and will make a difference in people’s lives.

In Action​

Mission Trip – Feb. 2026

In February 2026, the Gift of Sight organization donated money towards a mission trip to Chalatenango, El Salvador. We were in a clinic for six days, in which we saw over 2,100 patients. Most of these people we saw don’t have a health clinic or a hospital anywhere nearby. The closest hospital is 3 hours by bus if they can afford it. These areas in El Salvador we travel to are fairly remote as the terrain is mountainous and made up of over 200 volcanic features.

Cataracts occur as part of the natural aging process. In America, we regularly have cataract surgery. In El Salvador, people go blind from cataracts and often need a family member to stay home and take care of them. Just removing one cataract will allow a person to go back to everyday activities and allow that family member to return to normal life as well.

These people desperately need our help and thanks to Gift of Sight, I was able to help provide that care and will be back there annually. I hope you will consider donating to such a worthy cause as this.

– Timothy Moore, Medical Scribe, Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons

“These people desperately need our help and thanks to Gift of Sight, I was able to help provide that care.”

— Timothy Moore

Gift of Sight in Chalatenango, El Salvador
Gift of Sight in Chalatenango, El Salvador
Gift of Sight in Chalatenango, El Salvador
Gift of Sight in Chalatenango, El Salvador
Gift of Sight in Chalatenango, El Salvador
Gift of Sight in Chalatenango, El Salvador
Gift of Sight in Chalatenango, El Salvador

A Hometown Mission​

Other ways to give

Gift of Sight was built by volunteers — physicians, staff, and industry partners who donated their time and resources. If you’d like to be part of restoring sight in your community, we’d love to hear from you.

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