Help Stop Preventable Blindness

Seventy-five percent of world blindness is unnecessary. Many of the more than 250 million visually impaired people worldwide could easily be helped with an eye exam, a pair of glasses, or simple cataract surgery. Instead, they have to live with functional blindness — the inability to see well enough to do basic everyday tasks, such as reading, writing, cooking, earning a living, etc.

We feel it is important to tell you about some organizations that are devoted to alleviating blindness around the world. We are helping these non-profit organizations with their missions and hope you will, too:

Optometry Giving Sight restores vision to people in underdeveloped countries where there is no eye care. People are given an eye exam and a pair of glasses, so they can get jobs and care for their families. In a matter of minutes a child can go from being in a school for the blind to attending a regular school and leading a normal life.
Visit their website at www.givingsight.org.
Read their latest newsletter [pdf].

  

ORBIS International lets doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers volunteer their time by traveling to underdeveloped countries via the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital. There they perform eye surgeries and educate local health professionals about proper eye care and eye health.
Visit their website at www.orbis.org.

  

Lions Clubs International Vision Programs collect, clean, and repair used eyeglasses, which are then distributed by Lion volunteers to people who can't afford glasses. Donation centers are located throughout the world and are easily accessible.
Visit their website at www.lionsclubs.org.

These groups' primary concerns are the people they are serving. With your assistance, they can continue to improve eyesight around the world.

Make a difference. Donate today.

Note: World blindness figures are from ORBIS International and Optometry Giving Sight.

[Page updated July 2008]