Seeing is believing

Who we are

• Globally, every five seconds a person goes blind
• 37 million people in the world today are blind
• Nine out of ten blind people live in the developing world
• 75% of global blindness can be prevented or cured

The statistics on blindness are staggering. But people do not go blind by the million, they go blind one by one, and for each person the impact is enormous. Poverty and blindness are a formidable combination, depriving many people in the developing world of basic human rights. Loss of sight often results in social exclusion, making blind people vulnerable to abuse, poverty and early death. Less than half of all children who lose their sight will survive to adulthood. The figures appear overwhelming, yet providing help is simple.

For over 50 years, Sight Savers International has been working with local partners to combat blindness in developing countries and support people who are blind. During this time, we have helped restore sight to more than five million people and treat over 70 million for potentially blinding conditions. Through partners, we support people who are blind, providing education, counselling and training.

Sight Savers' support reaches the people who need it most – individuals living in some of the poorest countries in the world. We work with local partners in 32 countries in the developing world to ensure that services are developed that are appropriate to local needs. The overwhelming majority of blindness is unnecessary: it can be prevented or cured. With your support, Sight Savers' programmes will continue to transform the lives of those affected by blindness.

Sight Savers has helped restore sight to over five million people and treat over 70 million for potentially blinding conditions