Gift of sight for cataract-blind in South Africa

Restoring sight restores an active family, community and working life.

About the project

Cataract sufferers in South Africa will regain their sight – as part of our project to restore vision for two million people in 14 countries, with our partner, CBM.

There are 45 million blind people worldwide and cataract is the leading cause. But more than two-thirds of cases could have been prevented, or are treatable.

For just US$30 each, a simple 15-minute cataract operation can restore sight for around 17 million of the world’s blind people, most of whom live in the poorest countries.

Restoring sight goes far beyond improving the individual’s quality of life. It means they can play a full and active role in their family, their community and the wider economy.

By 2010, through our partners CBM, Seeing is Believing aims to provide:

  • Nearly two million sight-restoring cataracts surgeries in 14 countries
  • Operations by long-term CBM partners, chosen for professional ability, accountability, transparency, good governance and management, community respect.
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“...Intra Ocular Lenses (IOL) for 2 million cataract patients a year with state-of-the-art procedures … is miraculously providing sight to those who would otherwise be blind. ”
Dr William McAllister,CEO, CBM
PERIOD
2007 - 2010
PARTNER
CBM, formerly known as Christian Blind Mission - UK