Operation Eyesight Universal

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Operation Eyesight Universal is a Canada-based international development organisation founded in 1963. It works to prevent avoidable blindness and to relieve blindness that is treatable. This work is done through eye care services and community development activities in south Asian nations such as India and sub-Saharan African nations such as India, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia.

Mission

For all the world to see is Operation Eyesight Universal's vision. The organisation focuses on preventing avoidable blindness and on treating blindness and low vision when it is correctable. It cooperates with governments, local communities and health care partners to put in place comprehensive, high quality eye care programs and services that are self-sustaining.[1] This is achieved through private donations and the support of the public. The organisation emphasises capacity-building and sustainability by supplying local medical professionals with the training, equipment and facilities they need to help their own people. It addresses specific problems in each locale as well as the root causes of blindness. The organisation summarised its mission in its 2009 report to donors.

"Operation Eyesight Universal is committed to helping its indigenous medical partners build the comprehensive, high quality infrastructure and programs necessary to meet the present and future eye care needs of their own people. These partners are encouraged to analyze their needs and develop plans of action. Financial donors make it possible to provide the essential resources to develop or improve services."[2]

History

Dr Ben Gullison, a Canadian physician, established "Operation Eyesight Universal" in 1963, in Calgary, Alberta. Gullison had been working in Sompeta, coastal east India. He founded "Operation Eyesight Universal" to reduce the prevalence of cataract in India and in other countries with high levels of poverty. Support for the organisation was garnered by Arthur Jenkyns, a Calgary businessman.[3] A partnership was developed with Indian ophthalmologists. Later, the program received donations from other countries and was expanded to include regions of Africa and south Asia.

Importance and task

Over 161 million people in the world are visually impaired. 37 million are blind and 124 million have low vision. 75 percent of blindness is preventable or curable. Beyond this, approximately 153 million people are visually impaired due to uncorrected refractive errors. 90% of visual impairment occurs in the developing world.[4]

Activities

International programs and projects

Operation Eyesight Universal is active in India and in the African nations of Ghana, Kenya and Zambia. Its work includes:

  • Primary eye care in Africa and India.
  • SAFE strategy in Kenya and Zambia. This combats trachoma through strategies including surgery, antibiotics, health education and sanitation enhancements such as water wells and latrines.
  • Comprehensive community development in slum and tribal communities in India.
  • Investment with partner hospitals to provide high-quality facilities, equipment and training. This aims to improve management capabilities and systems in order to achieve comprehensive, quality, sustainable eye care.

The projects aim to be cost-effective and integrated.

Fundraising

Funds for international programs are gathered from a number of sources. These include donations from individuals, philanthropic foundations, private businesses and the Government of Canada (through the Canadian International Development Agency). Although Operation Eyesight is headquartered in Canada and draws most of its support from Canadians, the organization also receives significant support from individuals and organizations in other countries. It is registered as a charitable organization in Australia, Canada, India, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Partner Organizations

References

  1. ↑ "Strategic Plan 2010 and Beyond". Operation Eyesight Universal. 2009. page 1.
  2. ↑ ”Report to Donors 2009”. Operation Eyesight Universal. 2010. page 2.
  3. ↑ Hankins, Gerald W. “The Flaming Arrow”. January 1994. ISBN 978-0-9698955-0-3.
  4. ↑ ”Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness: Action Plan 2006-2011”. page 65. World Health Organization. ISBN 978-92-4-159588-9.

External links

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