World Cataract Foundation / Guerrero Partnership

Project:  Guerrero Let There Be Light

On November 17, 2000, World Cataract Foundation representatives, the Governor of Guerrero, and other government officials signed an agreement to work with the Guerrero Ophthalmology Society and the state health service to eliminate cataract blindness in the state of Guerrero, Mexico by the year 2010.  In order to facilitate this goal, on June 20, 2001 the World Cataract Foundation Mexico, A.C. was established.

Presently, there are an estimated 43,000 people blinded by cataracts in the state of Guerrero alone.  This number is increasing at a rate of 1,000 per year.  Our goal is to successfully perform 50,000 cataract surgeries in the next seven years which will virtually eliminate this malady in Guerrero.  To do this, we have set our goals into five areas of responsibility:  staff, space, surgical equipment, supplies and salary supplement.  The government of Guerrero will provide the staff and space; however, there is still a great need for equipment, supplies and extra payment for the government medical personnel who will be performing 5-10 times more surgeries than their normal load.  The state of Guerrero is divided into seven regions which will serve as our target

areas.  Each region will have one city that will serve as a base of operations for that region.

If Guerrero proves to be a success, we can chart a course for the rest of the country.  And if cataract blindness in Mexico is eliminated, the project can be replicated in other areas of the world.  The success of the project in Mexico could be an example to other countries in eradicating such a treatable medical condition.

The state of Guerrero is selected by the World Cataract Foundation for this pilot project because of the long-standing relationship that the WCF has had with Guerrero. The WCF has sent large volunteer surgery teams to work in Ometepec, a city in Guerrero, for the last thirty-three years.

The Need

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world today. Of the fifty million people who are blind, more than twenty-five million suffer from cataract blindness. The vast majority of these live in the developing nations of the world. While cataract blindness is curable through surgery, most of these remain blind because of poverty and a lack of access to basic eye care and surgery. The consequences of blindness are intense human and economic suffering. According to the World Health Organization, it takes two additional individuals to care for each blindperson, effectively taking three people out of the economy.

Using the implantation of intraocular lenses, the cure for cataract blindness involves a simple, safe surgery that is both effective and cost efficient. The need is to deliver this sight-giving surgery to poor people in developing countries.

Throughout its history, the World Cataract Foundation has made notable strides in accomplishing its mission of helping the world to see. The WCF was at the forefront of the development and production of a cost efficient intraocular lens to be used in surgical implants as a cure for cataract blindness in the developing world. The volunteer surgery teams have given the gift of sight to thousands by performing more than 3000 surgeries. Forty-seven physicians, two nurses, and one technician have participated in the Medical Personnel Exchange Program. While these achievements are laudable, the WCF is committed to expanding its programs to do more to meet the challenge of eliminating cataract blindness in many parts of the world.