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The Need

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world today.
Of the estimated 39 million people who are blind, 20 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. 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.

The Mission

The World Cataract Foundation provides humanitarian services helping the world to see by eliminating cataract blindness through surgery, training and equipping.
 
The vision, however, will become reality only with the compassion and help of many friends and partners in helping the world to see.

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 10,000 surgeries. Sixty-two ophthalmologists, three nurses, and one technician have participated in the Medical Personnel Exchange Program.

 

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.

 

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.
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