SAN DIEGO -- A journey for four Ukrainian sisters -- all with eye deformities -- began in San Diego eight years ago.

They traveled to San Diego to undergo surgery at the University of California San Diego's Shiley Eye Center because each sister had a genetic condition where their tear ducts were blocked.

"When that blockage is there it's like a dam that is backed up and the dam had no place to drain so the tears overflow," UCSD ophthalmologist Dr. Don Kikkawa.

All four sisters suffered repeated infections and faced losing their vision.

"The infections can cause swelling around the eye. It can cause loss of vision in severe cases," Kikkawa said.

Kikkawa corrected the problem and the sisters grew up without any vision problems.

Eight years later, one of the sisters, Ulana, returned to the Shiley Eye Center because her own infant daughter needed to undergo surgery for the same condition.

Ulana's 17-month-old daughter, Viktoriya, was also born with blocked tear ducts.

"We gave her new tear ducts. We opened up the drain and hopefully that will prevent her from having any of the problems that her aunt's had," Kikkawa said.

Ulana, who was 12-years-old when she had her ducts fixed, said she knows her daughter will not have to suffer like she did.

"It's just like being reborn," she said.

The surgery also made a big impact on Ulana's older sister, Lesia.

Lesia is currently enrolled in medical school studying to become an ophthalmologist.

"I wanted to be an ophthalmologist because I didn't understand why Ukraine doctors couldn't do what doctors can do here. This time I want to learn how to do it and do that in my country," Lesia said.

Lesia, Ulana and Viktoriya are all staying with Dr. William Selezinka, a former UCSD eye surgeon who regularly opens his home to patients, physicians and medical students from Ukraine.