Help Raheleh Amiri Save Her Eye

My name is Raheleh! I am an Iranian psychologist woman from Kerman, Iran. During the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprisings, like many other Iranians I participated in daily street demonstrations. On November 15th, 2022, my entire life changed! During a demonstration, I was shot with a close-range bullet, causing blindness in my right eye. I underwent two surgeries in Iran, leaving me nearly blind—only able to perceive light and shadow. However, my treatment team recommended corneal transplant to restore partial vision in my right eye.

Me and my family received relentless threats from the security forces. My license was revoked; I was expelled from my graduate school; and it became impossible for me to complete my medical treatments over there. After months of scrutiny and significant pressure from the government, I had to leave my homeland in April 2023. With the assistance of human rights activists, I obtained a medical visa to relocate to Italy for treatment. However, on my way to Italy, I was delayed in Turkey for two months without any medical attention, which substantially worsened the condition of my eye.

During my stay in Italy, the providers who examined me believed there was absolutely no hope to save my vision. Hearing my only option was ocular prosthesis with eventual enucleation (aka, prosthetic eye placement and eye removal surgery) was unbelievably heart breaking. Meanwhile, multiple ophthalmologists in Iran, Spain, and the US meticulously reviewed all my medical records. They unanimously and strongly believed, with urgent and immediate treatment, my eye has a chance. The news that there was still hope to restore vision to my eye, even partial, made me more determined to not give up and pursue treatment. Numerous human rights activists, friends, and physicians – specifically, an awesome Iranian American surgeon in the US – immensely worked day and night so I could receive an admission letter from the prestigious Wills Eye Institute and obtain the US medical visa. Hopeful for my treatment, I moved to the US in late September. My most recent corneal and retinal exams in the US appear to be still promising only if I receive corneal transplant and surgeries on my retina immediately.

The dream of bringing light back to my eye is so close to becoming true! None of these would have been even remotely possible without the incredible emotional and financial support I have received so far. Now, I need your emotional and financial support again. Given my visa status and the type of treatments I need, I am not eligible for any insurance plans in the US. So, all my treatments, including visits, exams, surgeries, medication, and potential follow up procedures, need to be paid fully out of pocket ahead of any treatments. I also need help to support my costs of living in the US while I undergo treatment and during my post-op course. I am humbly asking for your help! Your contribution will make a life-sustaining difference to me. I extend my heartfelt gratitude in advance for your support during this challenging journey. Thank you for being a source of hope and resilience.

With love and appreciation to all of you,

Raheleh