Cure Blindness Project, a global leader in eliminating avoidable blindness, will join the international eye health community in marking World Sight Day on October 9, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of vision.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Cure Blindness Project is expanding programs across Asia and Africa and collaborating with global partners to bring critical eye care to communities most in need.
Strengthening Eye Health in South Asia
Bhutan
With support from Cure Blindness Project and the World Health Organization, Bhutan’s Ministry of Health is working towards the launch of a new five-year National Eye Health Strategy – an essential step toward building sustainable, coordinated eye care systems nationwide. This work aligns with Cure Blindness Project’s long-standing commitment to Bhutan where it has served as the primary eye health NGO for more than 20 years.
Nepal
Country-wide community and school-based eye screenings will be held at community eye centers, schools, and Cure Blindness Project-supported hospitals in underserved areas in the weeks leading up to and following World Sight Day. These estimated tens of thousands of screenings will help diagnose vision challenges early and connect patients to appropriate care. In addition, more than 100 PSAs on the importance of eye health will run on Nepal radio to raise awareness.
India
Cure Blindness Project’s India country office recently released its Social Return on Investment (SROI) report conducted by Deloitte, demonstrating the profound economic and social benefits of investing in eye health – including improved quality of life, higher productivity, and stronger community well-being. Data shows that $1 USD invested translates to $7.30 in social return. In addition, Cure Blindness Project teams will conduct multiple school-based eye screenings in Uttar Pradesh, reaching 1,000 children with limited access to care, reinforcing the importance of preventive eye health, and demonstrating a scalable model for other communities.
Advancing Sight-Saving Solutions in Africa
Ethiopia
In the first half of 2025, Cure Blindness Project has directly supported more than half (55%) of the total 36,400 cataract surgeries performed in the country. Since January, with partners, Cure Blindness Project has restored sight through 20,648 surgeries. The country team with partners is on track to complete more sight-restoring surgeries this year than any other in the NGO’s 30-year history.
Ghana
Cure Blindness Project recently organized a three-day training program for 25 ophthalmic nurses from five regions. This initiative marks a significant step in strengthening the capacity of primary care personnel – often the first point of contact for individuals with eye health concerns, especially in underserved rural communities. In partnership with Peek Vision, Cure Blindness Project has also launched a pilot program in Ghana aimed at equipping ophthalmic nurses with innovative tools to detect, manage, and refer eye conditions early. By combining hands-on training with cutting-edge technology, the program empowers nurses to provide timely and effective eye care, helping to reduce preventable blindness and improve overall eye health outcomes across the country.
South Sudan
In South Sudan, Cure Blindness Project, alongside The Carter Center, the Ophthalmological Association of South Sudan, the Ministry of Health, and Christian Blind Mission, has launched a comprehensive strategy to expand eye care access nationwide. A cornerstone of this strategy is a new Ophthalmic Clinical Officer (OCO) Training Program that equips mid-level health workers to perform cataract surgeries and manage common eye conditions. The one-year program includes hands-on surgical training, clinical mentorship, and instruction in patient management and post-operative care.
A Lasting Global Impact
“Our 30th year is not just a celebration of what has been achieved, but a call to action for what lies ahead,” said K-T Overbey, CEO of Cure Blindness Project. “World Sight Day is a reminder that vision is essential to learning, to working, to living fully – and yet millions remain without access to the care they need. We are committed to working with our partners to ensure that eye health becomes a priority for every community, everywhere.”
To date, Cure Blindness Project and its partners have performed more than 1.84 million sight-restoring surgeries worldwide, trained over 25,200 eye care professionals, and delivered screenings and basic treatment to over 19.1 million people across 30 countries.
About Cure Blindness Project
Founded as Himalayan Cataract Project, Cure Blindness Project today celebrates 30 years of restoring sight. This singular mission expanded from its origins in Nepal to 30 countries with high-quality eye care, education, and world-class eye care infrastructure. Together with partners, Cure Blindness Project has provided over 1.84 million sight-restoring surgeries and provided screening and basic care to over 19.1 million people. Learn more at: www.cureblindness.org.
Watch this video to learn more about their work:
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