The problem: blindness due to lack of access to care
Without treatment, cataract eventually leads to blindness. In countries like the Netherlands, this is almost unthinkable, as cataract surgery is a routine procedure. In low- and middle-income countries, the situation is very different. Vulnerable people in remote areas often have little or no access to eye specialists or hospitals.
Their vision gradually worsens until they are no longer able to work, care for their families, or attend school. Independence is lost, and poverty increases. A treatable eye condition can become a lifelong barrier to participation in society.
The solution: a simple 15-minute procedure
Fortunately, cataract can be effectively treated. During a relatively simple procedure of about 15 minutes, the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens (IOL).
Light can once again reach the retina, and vision is often restored almost immediately. It is one of the most successful and cost-effective surgical procedures in the world. In the Netherlands alone, between 160,000 and 180,000 cataract surgeries are performed each year.
In the countries where Eye Care Foundation operates, we make this treatment accessible to people who would otherwise never have access to it. Through local eye hospitals, well-trained doctors, and mobile outreach camps, we bring care to remote communities.
For just €42, someone can receive cataract surgery, restoring not only their sight, but also their independence.
Help: donate for better vision
No one should go blind from an eye condition that is easy to treat. With your donation, we can give people in vulnerable and remote communities access to life-changing cataract surgery.