Globally, more than 43 million people are blind

According to the World Health Organization, cataracts affect approximately 65.2 million people and account for almost half of all blindness. For millions of people, Cure Blindness Project can improve their quality of life by restoring or retaining sight.

Demographics

Geographical distribution of global blindness

Unfortunately, 90% of people suffering from vision loss live in low- and middle-income countries where a solution isn’t available. Cure Blindness Project primarily works in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa where people experience the highest rates of vision loss and blindness.

Women are disproportionately affected by blindness.

55% of the world’s blind are women and 90% of women who are blind are living in poverty. Overall, women are 12% more likely to have vision loss than men.

The Impact of Blindness

Without care, blindness dramatically affects individuals, their families and their communities.

Blind children are more likely to die in childhood than children with good vision, especially in low-income countries.
Vision loss is linked to social exclusion more broadly, including the experience of negative attitudes, violence and bullying, sexual assault, and loneliness.
The restoration of sight helps break the cycle of poverty and inequity. Studies show that as many as 90% of blind individuals in poor communities cannot work.
Sight helps people learn. Children can learn twice as much when they see clearly.

How Sight Improves Broader World Goals

According to the 2021 UN Resolution on Vision, eye care is instrumental in achieving their Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs) particularly:

Contact Us

Cure Blindness Project

T: 888-287-8530
F: 802-649-1041
[email protected]

PO Box 863
Norwich, VT 05055
USA

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The Himalayan Cataract Project (dba Cure Blindness Project) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; Tax ID 03-0362926. Your gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Principal photography provided by Ace Kvale, Michael Amendolia, and other photojournalists who have generously supported our work. Site design and development by Flannel

Why Blindness?