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Sightsavers International

Over 45 million people in the world today are blind. What is staggering is that 80 percent of them have lost their sight unnecessarily due to conditions that could be prevented or cured. The effects of blindness in developing countries, where 90 percent of the world blind live, are especially wide reaching. In the poorest parts of the world loss of sight often results in social exclusion, making blind people vulnerable to abuse, poverty and even early death; less than half of all children who lose their sight will survive to adulthood.

Sightsavers International is the UK’s largest charity working with local partners to prevent and cure blindness in over 25 countries across Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. Since its formation over 50 years ago Sightsavers has restored sight to nearly 5 million individuals and has treated a further 58 ½ million for potentially blinding conditions.

Working with local organisations and governments Sightsavers tackles eye conditions including cataract, which renders around 20 million people blind. Yet a simple and quick operation can remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear, artificial one, successfully restoring sight. River blindness is a major cause of blindness in West and Central Africa, robbing thousands of their sight. Sightsavers works across Africa to distribute Mectizan, the drug which kills the baby worms that are the cause of blindness. Other focuses of our work include trachoma, low vision and glaucoma.

Where sight cannot be restored Sightsavers supports blind children and adults to live fuller and more active lives within their communities. Projects include rehabilitation, counselling, training and sometimes small business loans. We also support inclusive education, which enables children to be included in mainstream schools.

With your support, we can combat global blindness and make a real difference to people’s lives.