Cure Blindness Project Expands Reach

In celebration of World Sight Day (October 10), Cure Blindness Project is excited to share news of our plans to bring sight-restoring services to six new geographies around the world: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Zambia. 

This move marks our historic foray into South America, significantly broadening its reach beyond its established focus in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Since 1995, Cure Blindness Project has delivered sight-saving care in 25 countries, and this expansion marks a pivotal step towards the goal of eradicating avoidable blindness.

“The time has come to amplify our impact,” declares K-T Overbey, CEO of Cure Blindness Project. “From tackling cataract blindness in the Himalayas to now tackling all forms of treatable blindness across 30 countries, our commitment to eradicating this issue is unwavering. We are relentless in our pursuit of a brighter ‘seeable’ future for all, but we cannot do it alone.”

Cure Blindness Project's success stems from its robust network of global partners. This expansion leverages the organization’s proven model, focusing initially on delivering high-volume, high-quality cataract surgeries while simultaneously empowering local healthcare providers through targeted training programs. This dual approach ensures immediate relief for those waiting for sight-restoring procedures, while also building sustainable capacity for future needs.

“Underserved communities bear the brunt of the global eye care crisis,” says Cure Blindness Project’s Chief Program Officer Josie Noah. “Our expansion partners have a proven track record of excellence, allowing us to reach these vulnerable populations and finally offer them the life-changing gift of sight.”

Since its inception, Cure Blindness Project, along with partners, has achieved remarkable milestones:

• Over 1.6 million sight-restoring surgeries performed.
• 16.5 million eye screenings conducted.
• Five eye hospitals established.
• Over 20,100 eye care professionals trained across 43 countries, including 644 ophthalmologists.
• 2023 acquisition of SightLife International, further bolstering the organization's expertise in corneal blindness treatment and prevention.

As Cure Blindness Project approaches our 30th anniversary in 2025, our vision remains unwavering: to empower nations to eradicate avoidable blindness. We achieve this through our strategic four-pronged approach:

• Build local capacity.
• Develop high-quality infrastructure and equipment.
• Deliver comprehensive patient care.
• Implement effective prevention strategies.

“We believe in a holistic approach that addresses immediate needs and fosters long-term solutions,” states Overbey. “Our expansion reaffirms our core mission: partnering with underserved communities worldwide to build sustainable, cost-effective eye care systems that pave the way for a world free from avoidable blindness.”