Operation Eyesight Universal

Operation Eyesight Universal is a Canada-based international development organization concerned with the elimination of avoidable blindness. Since its founding in 1963, it has facilitated eye care services and community development activities in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. At present, its efforts are concentrated on India and the African countries of Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia.

This organization is focused on preventing avoidable blindness where it is possible to do so, and treating blindness when people are unnecessarily blind. Working with governments, local communities and health care partners, it seeks to put in place comprehensive, high quality eye care programs and services that can be self-sustaining.^[1] Though private donations and public support, Operation Eyesight Universal seeks to assist people threatened by blindness and low vision.

History

Operation Eyesight Universal was established in 1963 to raise funds to reduce the number of people who were avoidably blind from cataract in India and other countries with high levels of poverty.

Inspired by a Canadian physician working in Sompeta on India’s east coast, Dr. Ben Gullison, Operation Eyesight was formed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Central to its formation and growth was Arthur Jenkyns, a Calgary businessman who succeeded in marshaling the efforts of others concerned about the eye care needs of people in the developing world.^[2]

Operation Eyesight Universal developed into a partnership between generous Canadians and Indian eye doctors, and later expanded its scope to include regions of Africa and south Asia, as well as donors from other countries. Throughout its history, this organization has emphasized capacity building and sustainability by supplying local medical professionals with the training, equipment and facilities required to help their own people.

Purpose and Principles

Operation Eyesight Universal exists in response to the threat represented by global blindness in that over 161 million people in the world are visually impaired due to eye diseases, of whom 37 million are blind and 124 million have low vision – as much as 75% of blindness is preventable or curable. Additionally, an estimated 153 million people are visually impaired due to uncorrected refractive errors. Operation Eyesight Universal also responds to the fact that the largest burden of visual impairment, more than 90%, is borne by the least developed regions.^[3]

Operation Eyesight Universal is committed to helping its indigenous medical partners build the comprehensive, high quality infrastructure and programs necessary to meet the present and future eye care needs of their own people. These partners are encouraged to analyze their needs and develop plans of action. Financial donors make it possible to provide the essential resources to develop or improve services.^[4]

As a development organization, Operation Eyesight Universal focuses on local leadership and practical solutions that lead to deep, long-term improvements to entire communities and regions in the developing world. Working in partnership with local medical professionals and government officials, as well as with elements of the international eye care community, Operation Eyesight proceeds with its sights set on the ultimate elimination of avoidable blindness. Its mission is therefore expressed as “To eliminate avoidable blindness” and its vision as “For all the world to see.” The organization forms its decisions and activities around the core values of accessibility, quality, collaboration, sustainability and accountability.^[5]

Activities

International programs and projects

Operation Eyesight Universal is directly active in India and the African nations of Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia, investing in treatment, prevention and community development activities to address specific problems as well as the root causes of blindness. Highlights of this investment strategy include:

• primary eye care in Africa and India
• SAFE strategy in Kenya and Zambia to combat trachoma, featuring surgery, antibiotics, health education and sanitation enhancements such as water wells and latrines
• comprehensive community development in slum and tribal communities in India
• investment with each hospital partner to provide high-quality facilities, equipment and training to improve management capabilities and systems to ultimately achieve comprehensive, quality, sustainable eye care
• a cost effective, integrated model of eye care services

Fundraising

Funds for international programs are gathered from a number of sources which include individual donations, philanthropic foundations, private businesses and the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency.

Although Operation Eyesight is headquartered in Canada and draws most of its support from Canadians, the organization also receives significant support from individuals and organizations in other countries. It is registered as a charitable organization in Australia, Canada, India, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Partner Organizations

• Eyesight International
• International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
• Canadian International Development Agency
• L. V. Prasad Eye Institute
• Optometry Giving Sight
• VISION 2020: The Right to Sight

References

1. ^ "Strategic Plan 2010 and Beyond". Operation Eyesight Universal. 2009. page 1.
2. ^ Hankins, Gerald W. “The Flaming Arrow”. January 1994. ISBN 9780969895503.
3. ^ ”Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness: Action Plan 2006-2011”. page 65. World Health Organization. ISBN 9789241595889.
4. ^ ”Report to Donors 2009”. Operation Eyesight Universal. 2010. page 2.
5. ^ ”Strategic Plan 2010 and Beyond”. Operation Eyesight Universal. 2009. page 2.

External links

• Official website