From June 26-27, the U.S. Army Civil-Military Support Element (CMSE), in partnership with the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan (RCSK) and the American Corner in Naryn, helped improve eye health in Naryn through a comprehensive medical intervention and education program called “Naryn Eye”. A group of U.S. Army medical providers began a Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) starting first with eye examinations conducted by U.S. military medical personnel — including a CMSE Medic and a U.S. Army Physician — with specialized follow-up assessments provided by Red Crescent ophthalmologists, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek.
The next phase of the program was a comprehensive eye health education program to inform local residents of the dangers of eye illness and promote preventative measures. MEDCAP and partners printed and circuited information on identifying and treating common vision-related conditions prevalent in high-altitude environments. Last, the team launched a distribution campaign to give more than 350 pairs of polarized sunglasses, donated by Spirit of America, to those most in need as a means to help prevent sun-related eye damage. The goal of the Naryn Eye MEDCAP is to ensure that residents of Naryn are able to lead prosperous and healthy lives.
The program began in January 2026, when CMSE and Spirit of America identified an opportunity to address eye health challenges in Naryn, where snow blindness and other sun-related vision conditions pose a significant public health concern for residents living at high altitude. Following consultations with U.S. Embassy Bishkek and a field assessment conducted in Naryn in March 2026, CMSE expanded the initial concept into a comprehensive MEDCAP in coordination with the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan.
Spirit of America is a U.S. based non-profit that supports civilian-military cooperation.
A Civil-Military Support Element (CMSE) is a specialized four-person U.S. Army Civil Affairs team operating globally under U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. Embassies.
Photo: U.S. Embassy in Bishkek
