About the International Eye Foundation
IEF Programs Combat Blindness with Focused Strategy
IEF's many programs and partnerships for the prevention and treatment of blindness are focused on four core strategies that support our belief that everyone deserves the highest quality eye care possible.
- Confronting the four diseases that are the leading causes of blindness in the developing world: Cataract in adults and children, Trachoma, onchocerciasis, and vitamin A deficiency in children;
- Reducing the cost barriers associated with purchasing necessary ophthalmic equipment and supplies;
- Providing additional technical training for local nurses and ophthalmologists in developing nations; and
- Improving management structures and financial stability of local eye clinics and hospitals.
The IEF Programs section of our website is divided into multiple areas, described briefly below.
Prevention and Treatment
In the prevention and treatment section, we briefly discuss the four diseases that are responsible for 80% of the World's blindness. [ Prevention & Treatment ]
SightReach® Management
Our SightReach® Management program works to enhance or establish management and financial stability of eye clinics and hospitals in developing nations. This page explains the key indicators for success of treatment programs and lists the countries where we're working to make a difference. [ SightReach® Management ]
SightReach Surgical®
SightReach Surgical®, IEF's social enterprise, has a mission to make new and modern ophthalmic products available at preferential prices for eye hospitals and clinics in the developing world. We offer an online catalog for eye care providers to request a quote for products intended for use outside of the United States. Visit the SightReach Surgical® web site for more information. [ SightReach Surgical® ]
River Blindness
More than 17 million people are infected with onchocerciasis, a disease which causes what is commonly known as "river blindness." This page provides details on the disease and its treatment. It also highlights our efforts in developing nations. [ River Blindness ]
Trachoma (Blinding Infection)
We are working to prevent the infectious disease trachoma in the developing world. Trachoma is the cause of blindness in 1.3 million people worldwide. More details on our trachoma prevention programs can be found here. [ Trachoma (Blinding Infection) ]
Cataract
We are helping to improve the quality and outcome of cataract surgeries in the developing world. This page includes links to our partner hospitals and a link to our SightReach® Management program that improves cataract treatment. [ Cataract ]
Childhood Blindness
We continue to address vitamin A deficiency and improve pediatric eye care services worldwide. This page highlights the communities in which we're working, as well as provides links to details about our "Seeing 2000" program, which aims to increase and improve ocular surgery for children by offering sub-grants to indigenous hospitals and eye care organizations. [ Childhood Blindness ]
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Congenital cataract and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) continue to threaten children with lifetime blindness. This page provides details about these diseases and information about our efforts to curb them. [ Retinopathy of Prematurity ]
Vitamin A Deficiency
This page details our activities to control childhood disease and save children's sight and lives. [ Vitamin A Deficiency ]
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. [ History ]