How LASIK MD Supports Operation Eyesight’s Goal to End Preventable Blindness
At LASIK MD, we believe that everyone deserves the benefits of clear vision, regardless of where you live. That’s why we’re a proud partner of Operation Eyesight, which works to treat vision problems (such as preventable blindness) in developing nations.
This doesn’t just include providing eye exams, treatments, and operations to those in need. Operation Eyesight is also committed to addressing the root causes of avoidable blindness, which include gender inequalities, lack of access to clean water, long commutes to eye health centers, and insufficient health care services, particularly in ophthalmology.
Below, we discuss how LASIK MD has supported Operation Eyesight’s initiatives throughout the years and how you can get involved.
Operation Eyesight’s History
Operation Eyesight was founded almost sixty years ago in 1963 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Since then, it’s become a key global player in helping to prevent avoidable blindness and other eye conditions in low- and middle-income countries by collaborating with hospitals and governments.
The organization is proud to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being. The United Nations emphasizes that encouraging healthiness and well-being is essential to promoting sustainable development. Operation Eyesight is also in-line with several of the UN’s other goals to reduce poverty and improve gender equality as well as access to water and sanitation.
How Operation Eyesight is Making a Difference
According to Operation Eyesight’s statistics, over 1.1 billion people in the world live with vision loss. However, 90% of all people with vision loss are living in low- and middle-income countries, and 90% of these cases are preventable or treatable with proper medical care.
Some of the common causes of avoidable blindness include:
- Cataracts
- Trachoma
- Glaucoma
- Eye cancer
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Uncorrected refractive error
But by providing medical treatment and resources to underprivileged communities, many of these conditions can be corrected or mitigated, thereby reducing the risk of preventable blindness.
Operation Eyesight specifically uses a community eye health model to provide programs to promote better vision care. This includes training local health care workers on how to screen and refer patients as well as educating the community on proper eye health and other related topics, like maternal-fetal health, the importance of vaccines, and proper nutrition.
They also focus on strengthening the capacity of hospitals – they partner with over 55 hospitals world-wide. This involves providing updated equipment, staff training, and opening eye health units in hospitals.
Operation Eyesight has supported programs in countries like:
- India
- Nepal
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Zambia
How LASIK MD Supports Operation Eyesight
LASIK MD has supported Operation Eyesight through financial donations as well as by promoting their initiatives to our audience. Last year, our efforts helped directly support Operation Eyesight’s active projects in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Liberia, and Zambia.
In 2020 alone, with LASIK MD’s help, Operation Eyesight was able to provide:
- 1,089,092 eye examinations
- 202,631 pairs of glasses
- 147,031 eye surgeries
- 143,761 eye health screenings
- 62,500 people access to clean water
- 82 staff and volunteers with eye health training
How You Can Get Involved
Operation Eyesight emphasizes that the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the need for better access to healthcare across the world, particularly in developing nations. Many hospitals are struggling as the numbers of patients rise and resources remain constricted.
The organization continues to support COVID-19 relief efforts in countries where it partners by providing resources like PPE, ventilators, medical oxygen, and life-saving medicine. Operation Eyesight has also been focused on educating on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus as well as the importance of vaccination.
Without the support of its generous donors, Operation Eyesight wouldn’t be able to continue such important work. If you’re interested in giving someone the gift of clear vision, we encourage you to look into ways to support Operation Eyesight’s efforts. There are various ways to donate, including by sending an e-card, gifting stock and annuities, leaving a legacy, donating Aeroplan miles, and more.
To learn more about how you can donate and get involved, visit their website. Also, be sure to sign up for their email newsletter so you can stay updated with all of Operation Eyesight’s initiatives.
Additionally, to learn more about all things vision, including how LASIK eye surgery may provide a long-term solution to your eyesight problems, be sure to visit our blog.