Cure Blindness Project

Cure Blindness Project Cure Blindness Project works to eradicate curable blindness in under-resourced countries. A brighter tomorrow is in sight!

We work in 30 countries in Africa + Asia.
$70 and a 10-min surgery restores someone’s sight. Eye care is one of the greatest public health challenges for the 21st century. Of the more than 39 million people worldwide suffering from unnecessary blindness, more than half are due to cataract – which can be surgically treated. Most of these people live in the developing world, where poor nutrition an

d limited access to eye care can mean a life limited by needless blindness. Numerous studies have shown that sight restoration with cataract surgery is among the most cost-effective interventions in health care. We work to overcome barriers impeding delivery of cataract care to underserved, needlessly blind people in the developing world. At the core of our work is our goal to achieve high-quality, low-cost eye care that can be sustained in the developing world for the long-term.

Goli had been living for several years with bilateral cataracts in Cote d’Ivoire. After being diagnosed at a specialized...
08/27/2026

Goli had been living for several years with bilateral cataracts in Cote d’Ivoire. After being diagnosed at a specialized eye care facility, her condition gradually worsened, leading to complete vision loss by late 2025.

From that point on, everyday life became impossible without assistance. Within the household, her eight‑year‑old granddaughter gradually became “her eyes,” guiding her around the house and assisting with basic daily activities.

This role reversal placed a heavy burden on the child and deeply affected the grandmother’s sense of independence and dignity.

After learning about a free cataract surgery campaign, Goli received care in two phases, with surgical intervention in each eye performed sequentially, first in Yamoussoukro and later in Man.

"After the first operation, I could sort rice grains again. I realized my life was coming back."

Following surgery, she has now regained her autonomy and no longer depends on her granddaughter for daily support. Beyond restoring sight, the intervention helped protect a child from an excessive caregiving burden and restore balance, dignity, and independence within the family

Our Lady of Grace Hospital hosted a cataract surgery outreach in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District of Ghana. Thank you ...
08/27/2026

Our Lady of Grace Hospital hosted a cataract surgery outreach in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District of Ghana. Thank you for hosting and sharing photos from the event!

Ophthalmic nurses play a critical role in preventing avoidable blindness, particularly in rural communities across Ghana...
08/26/2026

Ophthalmic nurses play a critical role in preventing avoidable blindness, particularly in rural communities across Ghana, where they are often the first point of contact for patients seeking eye care. Recognizing their importance, Cure Blindness Project remains committed to strengthening their capacity and equipping them with the skills and tools needed to deliver effective primary eye care services.

The first phase of the training was held last year, bringing together ophthalmic nurses from primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities. Building on that success, participants reconvened for a refresher training to reinforce their knowledge and update their clinical skills.

Phase Two of the Primary Eye Care Training introduced a new cohort of ophthalmic nurses and provided comprehensive instruction on the diagnosis and management of refractive errors, glaucoma, cataracts, and other common eye conditions. The training emphasized early detection and appropriate referral practices, enabling nurses to provide quality eye care at the community level.

Participants from both the refresher and initial training sessions described the program as highly beneficial, citing increased confidence, improved diagnostic skills, and a stronger ability to provide timely care in their communities. Through these ongoing capacity-building efforts, Cure Blindness Project continues to strengthen Ghana’s eye health workforce and expand access to quality eye care services.

It’s been a year since a thorn pierced the eye of 11-year-old Meron. The accident caused a vitreous hemorrhage in his r...
08/24/2026

It’s been a year since a thorn pierced the eye of 11-year-old Meron. The accident caused a vitreous hemorrhage in his right eye and severe vision loss.

For Meron's mother, the months that followed were among the most painful and challenging of her life. Determined to help her son regain his sight, she tirelessly sought medical care from multiple sources. Yet despite her persistence and hope, financial barriers made it impossible for the family to access the specialized treatment he urgently needed.

Hope arrived through Cure Blindness Project and the generosity of Dr. Vishal Govindahari, a volunteer ophthalmic surgeon from India. With their support, Meron received sight-saving surgical care at no cost to his family.

Following the procedure, Meron and his mother now look to the future with renewed optimism. As his recovery continues, they hope his vision will improve and that he will be able to return to the activities he enjoys.

Expressing her heartfelt gratitude, Meron's mother offered her blessings and sincere encouragement for the continued efforts of Cure Blindness Project and partners to restore sight and bring hope to people in need.

A medical team from Tanzania recently completed a one-week exchange visit in Ethiopia to strengthen collaboration and sh...
08/21/2026

A medical team from Tanzania recently completed a one-week exchange visit in Ethiopia to strengthen collaboration and share knowledge in eye care. During the visit, the team gained hands-on experience with outreach programs, clinical care, surgical techniques, and eye hospital management.

The exchange began with an outreach in Bisidimo, where the delegation supported non-surgical activities and observed surgeries.

During their visit to Addis Ababa University / Menelik II Hospital, the delegation observed operating room procedures and participated in wet lab training. A detailed surgical demonstration offered valuable insights into surgical techniques, clinical decision-making, and hands-on best practices in a teaching hospital setting.

At the Eye Bank of Ethiopia, the team participated in an in-depth learning experience focused on tissue collection processes and laboratory management. Discussions covered quality assurance, operational standards, and the critical role of eye banks in supporting surgical services and patient outcomes.

The delegation also toured private and specialized eye care facilities to better understand different service delivery models. Visits to the Refractive Eye Center and BruVision Clinic highlighted innovation, efficiency, and patient-centered approaches within the private sector.

The tour concluded with a visit to the Cure Blindness Project Country Office, where we provided an overview of programmatic support initiatives and primary eye care strategies. The session emphasized sustainable approaches to strengthening eye health systems through partnerships and community-level interventions.

Overall, the Tanzanian team expressed deep appreciation for the high-quality clinical settings, the openness of knowledge sharing, and the Ethiopian medical community’s strong commitment to advancing eye care across the region. Cross-country learning like this continues to play a vital role in building resilient, collaborative health systems in Africa.

As children around the world prepare to head back to school, many are excited to reunite with friends, meet new teachers...
08/20/2026

As children around the world prepare to head back to school, many are excited to reunite with friends, meet new teachers, and begin a new year of learning. But for millions of children living with treatable vision loss, education remains out of reach.

Without access to eye care, conditions like cataracts can force children out of the classroom, limiting their opportunities and their futures. For 10-year-old Asma in Ethiopia, a sight-restoring surgery made it possible to return to school—and reclaim the childhood she had been missing.

“Now she will continue her education and be happy,” her father says after his daughter received free sight-restoring surgery at a Cure Blindness Project outreach.

With love that lasts, we can help end avoidable blindness. ❤️August is **National Make-A-Will Month**—a perfect time to ...
08/18/2026

With love that lasts, we can help end avoidable blindness. ❤️

August is **National Make-A-Will Month**—a perfect time to create a lasting legacy for the people and causes you care about.

Consider including Cure Blindness Project in your will and help ensure more people can see clearly, live independently, and build brighter futures for generations to come.

Create your free will in as little as 20 minutes at the below online tool.

Cure Blindness Project improves lives everyday by restoring sight. For those who arrive to an outreach bilaterally blind...
08/17/2026

Cure Blindness Project improves lives everyday by restoring sight. For those who arrive to an outreach bilaterally blind, the before-and-after is especially life-changing.

Kassahun, a farmer from Mekane Selam Woreda, about 180 km from Dessie city, arrived at a Cure Blindness Project outreach with his daughter, Samrawit. For two years, cataracts had taken away his vision in both eyes.

A father of ten, Kassahun had been forced to give up farming and even stopped reading his beloved Bible. “I quit farming, I quit reading. I sold my ox because if I can’t farm, there’s no need to keep it. I was even planning to sell my gun—if I couldn’t see clearly, it was useless,” he said with deep sadness.

He recognized his children and neighbors only by their voices. “It was difficult,” he admitted. Samrawit added, “He was completely heartbroken about losing his sight. For two years, we never saw his smile. He used to be the happiest man.”

After a successful cataract operation, everything changed. Kassahun regained his vision in both eyes. Overcome with joy, he praised the doctors and Cure Blindness Project team. In the post-op area, he eagerly picked up a prescription bag and began reading. “I missed reading—now I can read again!” he said with delight.

His happiness was contagious. Spotting an old friend nearby, he exclaimed, “Until now, I couldn’t even see my friend Gobena, though he was right here. Now I see him clearly!”

For Kassahun, sight was more than vision—it was the return of his life, his faith, his farming, and his smile.

We’ve reached a major milestone in our advocacy work in Ghana! On World Organ Donation Day, we’re thrilled to announce t...
08/13/2026

We’ve reached a major milestone in our advocacy work in Ghana!

On World Organ Donation Day, we’re thrilled to announce that Ghana’s Ministry of Health has officially launched the process to develop the National Human Tissue and Organ Transplantation Policy—a significant breakthrough following several years of sustained advocacy efforts.

The inaugural meeting was attended by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Desmond Boateng, and the Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPME), Dr. Belinda Nimako, along with members of the Cornea Working Group and Cure Blindness Project Ghana team.

We look forward to a strong national policy that will pave the way for an eye bank, strengthen Ghana’s capacity to meet the growing demand for corneal tissue, and restore sight for countless individuals.

Avoidable blindness can often be prevented through early detection and timely treatment. Recognizing the importance of s...
08/12/2026

Avoidable blindness can often be prevented through early detection and timely treatment. Recognizing the importance of strengthening eye care at the community level, the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Vision Impairment (NPCBVI), Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Sikkim, in partnership with Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital and Cure Blindness Project, has launched a statewide blindness prevention program.

As part of the initiative, 676 ASHA workers were trained in Comprehensive Primary Eye Care Services through sessions held in Geyzing, Namchi, Soreng, Mangan, Singtam, Jorethang, Rongli, Pakyong, and Gangtok. As trusted community health workers and often the first point of contact for people seeking care, ASHAs were equipped to identify and refer individuals with eye conditions such as cataract, refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and eye injuries. They were also trained to guide patients through referral pathways to Community Health Centres, District Hospitals, Vision Centres, or Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital for further diagnosis and treatment.

By strengthening the capacity of ASHAs to identify eye health issues early and connect patients to appropriate care, the initiative is bringing eye care closer to communities and helping reduce avoidable blindness across Sikkim.

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PO Box 863
Norwich, VT
05055

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+18882878530

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