Bausch & Lomb's Generosity Is Saving Sight In Africa

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 15 Feb 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Leading global eye care company Bausch and Lomb has donated over 9,500 intraocular lenses (IOL's) to Sightsavers International to support its work to prevent and cure blindness in developing countries. Sightsavers carries out an average of 238,514* cataract operations annually and the IOL's will help to transform the lives of those suffering from cataracts in some of the poorest countries in Africa.

The lenses, with an estimated value of over £200,000**, will be used to perform life-changing 20 minute cataract operations, restoring both sight, and independence, to thousands of individuals.

Gareth Steer, General Manager of Bausch & Lomb U.K., highlighted the company's commitment: "Bausch & Lomb U.K. decided last year to focus our charitable support on a few reputable eye related charities, such as Sightsavers, British Blind Sport, and Optometry Giving Sight. We believe that the incredible difference that these charities make to people's lives is completely aligned to our own mission of 'Perfecting Vision and Enhancing Life', and we are proud to support their wonderful work".

Phil Hoare, Procurement Manager for Sightsavers, said: "Cataract is the biggest cause of blindness in the world. For those suffering from cataracts in the developing countries where we work, lack of equipment for the operations can be a problem. This support from Bausch and Lomb will make a difference by helping us to fund even more operations this year."

The first batch of lenses has already been sent out to Sightsavers-supported projects in Zambia, and other orders will be dispatched to eye-care projects in Uganda, Liberia, Nigeria and Cameroon later this month.

The lenses will be used to help beneficiaries like 72 year old Tabitha Charma from Mukumbo in Zambia who was diagnosed and treated for bi-lateral cataracts at the end of last year. When she started losing her vision Tabitha had to stop farming, losing the main source of income for her and her seven grandchildren who live with her. Tabitha heard about the possibility for treatment through her church. After the operation, Tabitha claims she feels like she is in heaven as having her sight back means she can move around her village unassisted and go back to farming.

* Based on 2006 Annual Report figures
** Based on January 2008 list prices

Notes

1. Sightsavers International is a registered UK charity (Registered charity numbers 207544 and SC038110) that works in more than 30 developing countries to prevent blindness, restore sight and advocate for social inclusion and equal rights for people who are blind and visually impaired. http://www.sightsavers.org

2. There are 37 million blind people in the world; 75% of all blindness can be prevented or cured.

3. Since 1950, Sightsavers has restored sight to more than 5.65 million people and treated over 100 million more.

4. Donations to support Sightsavers' work can be made using the 24-hour donation line (0800 089 2020) or via http://www.sightsavers.org

75% of all blindness around the world could be easily avoided, 90% of children who are blind don't go to school. Sightsavers is working through local organisations to change this.

Sightsavers