Saving Eyesight worldwide

Vision loss is linked to socioeconomic disadvantage. Poor vision contributes to inequalities for marginalised and socially disadvantaged populations. 90% of people affected by eye diseases live in low- and middle-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the worst-affected regions.

1.1 billion people globally have a vision impairment
43 million people are blind
90% of people with vision loss and blindness can be helped

Common causes of vision impairment and eye diseases

Child Blindness
About 2 million children worldwide are blind, and 12 million are visually impaired due to uncorrected visual impairment, vitamin A deficiency, cataracts, untreated infections or injuries.

Light for the World’s “1,2,3 I can see!” programme is an ambitious 10-year initiative to sustainably improve child eye health services in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda.

“1,2,3 I can see!” advocates for the promotion of eye health in schools and works to reinforce healthcare systems, leading to the early detection and provision of quality eye care services for children with vision issues.

Cataract
As the world’s most common cause of blindness, cataract has taken sight from more than 20 million people. Age, injury or genetics can cause the typical cloudy lens. Cataracts can be corrected with a simple 15-minute operation.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is another leading cause of blindness. Treatments include medication and operations. Restoring lost sight is impossible, but remaining sight can be preserved. Early detection is key!

Trachoma
Trachoma is the most common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Repeated infections cause the inside of the eyelid to scar, making the eyelashes turn inward. These, in turn, scratch the cornea, leading to irreversible blindness. In the early stages, the disease is curable with antibiotics and preventable through improved hygiene. In the final stage, only eyelid surgery can prevent loss of sight.

Uncorrected Refractive Errors
153 million people live with a visual impairment, many due to uncorrected refractive errors. In most cases, a pair of glasses will allow them to see clearly again.

Our commitment to people with visual impairments

Boy sitting and staring right at the camera with a cataract and a detached retina on the left side of his face. He is wearing a green hospital gown and two doctors with green uniforms are approaching him, ready to start his operation.

Moussa had a cataract in his right eye in addition to a detached retina. He was operated by Dr. Pierre Guiguemdé and can now see again. © Gregor Kuntscher

A eye health worker is holding up a vision screen test with letters. A girl student wearing glasses and the school uniform is a couple of meters in front of her leaning slightly to the right side with her head, trying to read the letters. Her school peers are behind her watching.

Vision screening can be future-changing. School screenings are conducted regularly in African regions.

A eye health worker is putting a pair of glasses on a man. He is looking at the mirror smiling. Next to the mirror there are a bunch of different types of glasses on display.

In Uganda, people get glasses that are customised for them.

Picture showing hands coming in from each side of the image. The hand on the right side is holding a cap with 4 pink antibiotics and tilting it onto the left hand.

In the early stages of the infectious disease trachoma, the infection can be treated with antibiotics.

Mädchen aus Äthiopien stehen in grünen Schuluniformen vor Brunnen und waschen sich die Hände.

Access to clean water, toilets and good hygiene practices prevents the spread of trachoma.

Light for the World promotes eye health for all by:

Strengthening health systems
Training local experts: ophthalmologists, nurses and opticians
Ensuring access to eye healthcare for women and children as well as people with disabilities, in rural areas and for those who cannot afford services
Providing technical equipment to enable the treatment of eye diseases
Promoting eye health care, creating awareness and advocating for new guidelines and laws