In our world today, there are 45 million people who are blind. In developing countries, extreme poverty and disadvantage are both a symptom and cause of blindness.

The single leading cause of blindness in developing countries is cataracts, accounting for 70 percent of cases. Most of these cases are treatable. Blindness does so much more than restrict sight. It prevents people from living a full and independent life and restricts employment. It can also prevent children from attending school.

People in developing communities in Pacific island nations such as Fiji and Vanuatu face a raft of unique challenges in accessing basic eye health care.

Remote island communities often do not have the facilities required for eye surgery. In larger communities, surgery is often prohibitively expensive. Cataracts left too long can lead to irreversible blindness.

With your support, UnitingWorld is working in partnership with our Church Partners in Fiji and Vanuatu to restore sight – and life – to people who suffer the debilitating effects of blindness. Each year, a team of 12 dedicated eye health professionals and ophthalmologists volunteer their time to provide sight-restoring surgery at Lautoka Hospital near Suva, Fiji.

In Fiji, the eye care team worked with local staff this year to restore sight to 100 people and increase the capacity of local staff by donating additional equipment and conducting in-service training.

In Vanuatu, the ongoing partnership between the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu and UnitingWorld has enabled more than 4200 people to access eye care in the last 12 months. More than 210 of these people were referred for surgery, and approximately 2500 pairs of glasses were dispensed.

Dr. Jay Chanda, an eye specialist from Westmead Hospital in Sydney, takes part in the program in Fiji voluntarily each year out of his compassion for people who are disadvantaged and poor. He is so grateful for the opportunity to volunteer his time and skills to play an active role in this partnership. “It’s beyond my conscience for people to go on suffering from preventable blindness,” he says. “If I can donate a just bit of my time and a bit of my energy for these people who are suffering, I think I’ve really done something worthwhile.”

Thank you so much for your support, which has been integral to continuing this vital work.