Preventing avoidable blindness
With support from The Fred Hollow’s Foundation, HealthNet TPO has been improving eye screening for children, adults and vulnerable people across five provinces in Afghanistan. As well as testing and distributing glasses, we support and improve essential eye care treatment through mobile health teams and the Kabul Medical Eye Hospital.
Eye care is an integral part of the primary health system in Afghanistan, yet more than 400,000 people are blind and 1.5 million people are visually impaired. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss representing 60% of all cases. With proper screening, detection and a relatively straightforward 20 minute surgery, visual impairment caused by cataracts can be avoided, yet 92.5% of people living with cataracts are not able to receive treatment due to costs and accessibility. Rural and remote areas are the most restricted from accessing these essential services.
Since 2016, more than 6,500 people have received life-changing cataract surgery to restore their sight. More than 336,500 people have had their eyes screened, and 4,600 glasses have been distributed. We have trained more than 500 community health workers so they can recognise, diagnose and treat eye problems in their communities, creating sustainable changes toward ending avoidable blindness in Afghanistan.
