About the International Eye Foundation
The History of the International Eye Foundation
Since the International Eye Foundation's founding in 1961, our sight-saving programs have benefited more than 60 developing nations— where 90% of the world's blindness exists.
IEF started with short- and long-term volunteer programs to provide direct services. We now bring a variety of direct and indirect services for ophthalmic professionals. In the new millennium, IEF is forging ahead to help eye clinics in developing nations become financially self-sufficient.
A Timeline of Tradition, Innovation, and Service in Eye Care
2000s: The Future
IEF joins with our partners to eliminate untreated cataract, trachoma, "river blindness," and vitamin A deficiency, while assisting eye hospitals to create independent management and financial structures.
1990s: Focus on Financial Sustainability, Planning, Management, and Self-Sufficiency
Sustaining eye care services takes more than medical training alone. So in the 1990s, IEF began to remove barriers to accessible and affordable quality eye care.
First, we initiated IEF's Seeing 2000, a program that provides grants to pediatric eye units worldwide, helping them improve and expand ocular services for children.
Then, we launched SightReach®, an innovative program in Latin America to redistribute ophthalmologists from urban areas to rural areas with incentive programs for young ophthalmologists.
With our program SightReach Surgical® we embarked on a mission to make new and modern ophthalmic products available at preferential prices.
1985: IEF Gains Important Status with the World Health Organization
The IEF was the first eye care non-governmental organization (NGO) to be granted "official relations" with the World Health Organization.
1980s: Mobilizing Local Staff
In the 1980s, IEF's overseas programs hired local ophthalmologists and staff to work alongside our American staff. Our goal was to assist governments to expand their national eye care services. IEF also established disease targeted programs to specifically address vitamin A deficiency, trachoma, and "river blindness."
1970s: Training Eye Doctors and Paramedical Staff
In the 1970s, IEF established paramedical training programs within developing countries to build a core of skilled eye care professionals. We began awarding scholarships to doctors in developing nations so they could study ophthalmology in the U.S. and Europe.
1961: International Eye Foundation Founded
American corneal transplant pioneer Dr. John Harry King, Jr. founded IEF in 1961 to place American ophthalmologists in developing countries, many of which had just achieved independence, leaving them with a scarcity of eye doctors.
The IEF's blindness prevention and sight saving programs are funded by governmental, foundation, and corporate contributors, as well as individuals like you who generously donate online. Our website showcases our successes and our breadth of services to the developing world. Feel free to contact us with specific questions or requests. [ Mission ]