Prior to the establishment of this project basic primary eye care was not available outside Vila, the capital of Vanuatu.  This meant that large numbers of people were severely visually handicapped for want of a pair of glasses. Many others had debilitating or blinding eye conditions that went completely undiagnosed and untreated.  Diabetes, which was in epidemic proportions, was untreated and many patients were found to have diabetic retinopathy. Many lives have been changed over the years but there are many more living on the 83 islands that make up Vanuatu who need assistance.

Each year groups of Australian surgeons and other medical professionals travel to Vanuatu to conduct a series of clinics on a number of different islands. The team perform basic eye surgery, screen patients for diabetes and high blood pressure and treat patients with general medical needs. Many of the medical issues they see are serious and life threatening. The team also train local nurses in the basic skills of refraction and diagnosis.

Please support this crucial work and restore sight to those in need in Vanuatu.

2011 Updates:

In 2010 the eye care clinics saw 4,200 people and distributed 2,401 pairs of glasses. In addition to this, 210 patients were referred for eye surgery.

The number of full time local eye care staff has increased to six and two new permanent clinics have been established on the islands of Santo and Tanna, in addition to an established clinic in Port Vila.

Downloadable Resources:

Project Sheet