The World Cataract Foundation's mission of helping the world to see by striving to eliminate cataract blindness in the developing nations of the world is accomplished by its programs:

Surgery Teams

The WCF sponsors volunteer teams that travel to developing parts of the world to provide free cataract surgeries for the poor who otherwise would continue to live with blindness. The surgery teams are composed of physicians, nurses, technicians and support volunteers. WCF volunteer teams have worked in twenty-five nations, giving sight to thousands. Each team carries advanced surgical equipment and medical supplies.

Medical Personnel Exchange Program

The WCF provides advanced ophthalmological training in Memphis, Tennessee, for selected ophthalmologists from developing nations. In addition, the WCF recruits ophthalmologists from other parts of the United States to provide advanced training for ophthalmologists from the two-thirds world.
click here for the full description

Eliminating Cataract Blindness in a Geographical Area

The WCF has partnered with the government officials of Guerrero, Mexico in a concentrated effort to make their state cataract free.  The partnership involves a multilevel strategy that includes volunteer surgery teams, advanced on-site training and empowering national ophthalmologists by supplying intraocular lenses, surgery equipment and medical supplies.

On-site Training

The WCF invites third-year ophthalmology residents to accompany the medical mission teams.  They work with an experienced medical team

in a developing country.  Hopefully, this will instill a desire to continue

serving those in need after they become successful in their own careers.

Surgery Equipment Donations

The WCF donates advanced surgery equipment, intraocular lenses and surgical/medical supplies to hospitals and ophthalmologists in developing countries to enable and empower them to provide sight-saving cataract surgery for the needy.

Continuing Education

In conjunction with the volunteer surgery trips the WCF provides training for national ophthalmologists through lecture, seminars and conferences. The WCF provides a library of training tapes and books to promote the advancement of ophthalmological practice in the developing world.