Not all eye conditions can be treated with glasses alone. Some cases require surgical intervention. SBLB partners with Bustamante Hospital for children in Kingston, Jamaica.
Meet Tanelia
Back in November 2024, third-grader Tanelia came to SBLB with a heartbreaking vision challenge: esotropia, an inward-turning eye that robbed her of depth perception and led to reduced vision. A referral was made for strabismus surgery at Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston at that time, but when SBLB caught up with her again in March 2026, the surgery had never happened. Financial strain and a complex health system had kept her from making the trip.
Determined to help, SBLB rallied volunteers to guide the family through appointment booking, bus travel, and hospital navigation. The trip from the island's west side is no small feat—it takes roughly four hours. With an 8:00 AM arrival time required in Kingston, Tanelia, her mother, and her four siblings (ages 12, 8, 2, and 7 months, with no childcare available) had to board a country bus at 2:00 AM.
Getting to this initial appointment was only the beginning of Tanelia's medical journey, mirroring the immense obstacles that so many children face to receive essential, advanced care.
Vision screening completed by SBLB at primary school →
Full Eye Exam by SBLB to prescribe glasses as needed and determine if surgical intervention is indicated →
Referral placed to Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston, Jamaica →
Initial consultation with ophthalmologist (Trip #1) →
Follow-up with ophthalmologist to check stability 3 months later (Trip #2) →
Pre-operative day on a Friday (Trip #3 + 3 overnight stays) →
Return on a Monday for Operation (+1 additional overnight stay) →
Return next day for 1-day follow-up appt →
Return 1 week later for 1-week follow-up appt (Trip #4) →
Return 1 month later for 1-month follow-up appt (Trip #5)
The Surgical pathway
The cost
Bus Trip + Food
$150 per trip = round trip via bus from Westmoreland or Hanover to Kingston + 2 meals for parent and child
— likely 5 total visits to Bustamante Hospital for Children will be required for pre-operative, operative, and post-operative care —
Post-Operative Eye Drops
$25 = antibiotic/steroid combination drops to prevent infection and treat inflammation from the procedure
Estimated Total cost $1,400 USD*
*For strabismus surgery - if cataract surgery is indicated, + $500 for disposables needed in operation and additional imaging required
Overnight Stays
$150 per night = hotel room in Kingston
— likely need at least 4 nights —
Current Needs
23
Pending Referrals
20 strabismus + 3 cataracts
$33,700
Annual Goals
25
Covered Referrals
20 strabismus + 5 cataracts
$37,500
