His passion: helping children with poor eyesight

Growing up poor in Korea, Dr. Donny Suh struggled with untreated vision problems. Many friends and family members went without vision care, too. Motivated by a desire to help disadvantaged children, he became a pediatric ophthalmologist.

While working in Omaha, Neb., he and his team set up a mobile pediatric eye clinic. He later wrote a book, Catching a Star: My Story of Hope, with the proceeds supporting pediatric vision care.

As chief of pediatric ophthalmology at the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Suh now leads its Eye Mobile for Children. He also has worked to develop special eye wear for kids with Connecticut-based inventor James Hermsen.

Made with a 3D printer, these inexpensive spectacles provide vision correction for children with head or facial abnormalities who are unable to wear regular frames, as well as kids whose families who can't afford glasses.

Suh, a professor of ophthalmology at the UCI School of Medicine, explains his passion for protecting children's vision.

Humble beginnings

I grew up with my mother and brother in a humble environment. I couldn’t really see the board in school, but we couldn’t afford glasses at the time. So I understand the struggles of young kids with poor vision.

Also, my mother had a chronic eye infection. We could not get that fixed, but one day I promised her that I would become an eye doctor to correct her eye problem.

"That will be as difficult as catching a star," she told me.

Creating specialized eyeglasses

There were two stages in my work to develop eyeglasses for children. I was seeing patients with microtia — they have ear malformations or no ears at all — who were unable to see because they were no glasses that fit them properly.

That’s when we developed glasses with an adjustable band that can be used by children with such face and head conditions. That was over 10 years ago.

The second frustration was that I would prescribe glasses for children on medical missions, but their families couldn’t afford them. Even here in Orange County, the number of places people can get inexpensive glasses or insurance-covered optical shops is very limited, as is their choice of glasses.

The 3D printer solution

That was the motivation for us to come up with the idea for Omni glasses. We started producing them about a year ago. They are adjustable and made with a 3D printer, so they are cost-effective. We have been distributing them during international medical missions. They have been extremely well received.

Over the July Fourth holiday, we held a clinic in Ensenada, Mexico. Two boys came with their mom and they both needed corrective lenses. We prescribed the lenses and made the glasses right in front of them.

They were jumping up and down with joy and running around the eye clinic. Their mom later told me she had known they needed glasses but she couldn’t afford them.

Making a difference

We are making an impact. We’re giving young people a chance and hope.

About 75% to 80% of a child's development hinges on good vision. It gives children a firm foundation from which they can grow and excel.

The pediatric eye mobile program and our Omni glasses project both take teamwork. I’m very proud to be part of the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, where people are eager to help and support children in need.

Related links

• Why eye exams are important for young children ›
• Everyone can benefit from yearly eye exams ›
• Learn more about the UCI Health Eye Mobile for Children ›