30 Years, 30 Countries, and So Much More in Our Sights
Cure Blindness Project, a global leader in eliminating avoidable blindness, celebrates thirty years of curing blindness in low-resource countries. Founded in 1995 as the Himalayan Cataract Project in Nepal by Drs. Geoffrey Tabin and Sanduk Ruit, the organization has transformed into a powerhouse, impacting millions worldwide.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Impact
Cure Blindness Project’s exponential growth is due to our collaboration with hundreds of partners across 30 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and South America.
Together, we’ve changed lives with:
- 1.6 million sight-restoring cataract surgeries performed.
- 200,000 corneas secured through partnerships for transplants.
- 16.5 million eye screenings conducted, identifying potential issues.
- 50,000 cases of corneal blindness prevented.
A Timeline of 30 Years of Transforming Lives
Over the past 30 years, Cure Blindness Project has celebrated numerous milestones in our quest to eliminate avoidable blindness:
1995
Founded by Drs. Sanduk Ruit and Geoffrey Tabin, the Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP) launched to combat preventable blindness in Nepal, pioneering a sustainable model of eye care delivery.
1996-2000
Expanded our reach to Tibet and Bhutan, training local surgeons and establishing eye care centers to build local capacity.
2000-2010
Experienced significant growth, adding programs in India, Ghana, and Ethiopia, significantly increasing the number of surgeries performed annually.
2010-2020
Continued our expansion, reaching new countries in Africa and Asia, adapting our model to meet the unique needs of each region.
2020
Surpassed a major milestone: 1 million sight-restoring surgeries performed.
2023
Acquired SightLife International to combine expertise and resources to expand our mission to include corneal blindness.
2024
Rebranded to Cure Blindness Project to better articulate our mission; to cure avoidable blindness whatever the cause, wherever it’s found. Expanded to six new countries: Burundi, DRC, Liberia, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Zambia, bringing hope and vision to even more people in need.
Looking Forward with Optimism
"We are incredibly proud of our past achievements," K-T Overbey, CEO of Cure Blindness Project, states, "but even more excited for the future. We remain dedicated to fulfilling the mission that began in Nepal 30 years ago. While we've accomplished so much, we understand that there's still a significant number of people who need our help. We are honored to be a part of this life-changing work, restoring sight and hope to millions."
