Sight Restoration and Blindness Prevention Program

Treatment of Avoidable Blindness

The Sight Restoration and Blindness Prevention Program had its beginnings in the Bali mobile eye clinic which began in 1991, offering cataract surgery in Bali free of charge for the lower socio-economic group.

In the eyes of millions of tourists, Bali is heaven on earth. But it is a paradise that some 55,000 Balinese can't see because of blindness. About 65% of the island's blind are afflicted with cataracts, which are brought on for a host of reasons, including old age, poor diet or hereditary factors. Surgically, a cataract operation is simple. However, for a Balinese villager, it is financially impossible. An operation would cost a year's income for a farming family. If Balinese people begin to lose their sight, they literally can't afford to do anything about it.

The Sight Restoration and Blindness Prevention Program had its beginnings in the mobile eye clinic which began in 1991, offering cataract surgery in Bali free of charge for the lower socio-economic group.

This project has expanded to other provinces and now comprises:

> Field eye screenings – adults and primary school children
> Bali mobile eye clinic
> Southeast Kalimantan mobile eye clinic
> East Lombok Cataract Program

All the projects work in close cooperation with the local Departments of Health.