ATHENS, Greece | KESO and the Panhellenic Association of Opticians and Optometrists carried out free eye examinations for 45 inmates and five correctional officers at the Korydallos Psychiatric Correctional Facility, identifying a need for about 20 pairs of glasses and several cataract cases requiring immediate medical treatment.
The visit took place on July 7, marking one year since the signing of a cooperation memorandum between the Ministry of Citizen Protection, KESO and the Panhellenic Association of Opticians and Optometrists. The medical team included ophthalmic surgeons Anastasia Serepa and Eleni Messini, alongside opticians, optometrists and officials from the two organizations.
More than 150 people are held at the psychiatric correctional facility. The July visit was the first phase of the program, with those not examined expected to be seen during a second visit by the team.
According to KESO, some of those who came forward had never been examined by an ophthalmologist. At least five inmates were found to need cataract surgery, but officials noted difficulties in securing appointments at public hospitals and covering the cost of the operations.
The facility’s administration and social service asked the two organizations to help find an ophthalmologist who could visit the institution regularly, possibly once a week. The management said it could seek the necessary equipment through sponsorship, while noting that doctors’ interest in advertised posts remains limited, a problem attributed in part to the low salaries offered.
The Korydallos Psychiatric Correctional Facility has been part of the National Health System since the start of 2025, but shortages of medical personnel and difficulties accessing hospitals continue to create practical obstacles to inmate care. The second visit is planned for September, when the glasses will be delivered and examinations will continue; the initiative was carried out with the support of Archbishop of Athens Hieronymos and KESO’s deputy president, Metropolitan Agathangelos of Fanari.
