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…Millions and millions are blind?
Yes, 45,000,000 to 50,000,000 people worldwide are blind. Another 135,000,000 to 150,000,000 suffer impaired vision.
Of these millions, cataracts-a completely treatable condition-account for half of the blind or vision-impaired around the world. *
Imagine what it would be like….
Just imagine if you lived in one of the remotest regions of the world and were blind with cataracts. Imagine how you would feel--unable to see the smile on the face of your youngest child. Imagine your despair at not being able to till your crops, to protect or to provide for your family.
Your circumstances might appear hopeless. After all, on average, there's only one eye surgeon for every 1,000,000-2,000,000 people in remote regions like yours. *
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* Data gleaned from World Health Organization materials. |
Can we bridge the gap?
Not long ago, an American-trained eye surgeon and his colleague wrestled with these thoughts as they bumped along a deeply rutted, jungle road to West Pokot, Kenya.That day, the two had prayed with and performed cataract surgeries on 35 villagers from remote Pokot.
They had used a new, and highly effective, procedure-a sutureless, manual surgery that contrasted with the high-tech procedure most often used in the States. Following surgery, patients were ecstatic at their newfound sight!
Now the question remained how Christian eye-care professionals could bridge the gap between the staggering need for eye care throughout the third world and the wealth of resources, talent, and Christian will in the developed world.
The bridge?
Vision Outreach International becomes a reality.
In 2001, God's answer emerged with the beginnings of Vision Outreach International-a compassionate mission aimed at restoring sight to the blind poor in remote regions of the world.
The mission seeks to follow Christ's example-"Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes." (Matthew 20:34) The mission's concept is that short-term teams of "first world" eye-care professionals will serve as the first step toward delivering sight-restoring cataract surgery. Later, mission surgeons schooled in mobile surgery will team up with national eye-care professionals already working with needy patients.
In addition, teams plan to partner with churches and missions in host countries for evangelistic outreach.
The right beginnings.
Conceiving of the bridge and sending teams of eye-care professionals to third-world regions, complete with training, equipment and supplies…well, they're two different things.Thus as a first step, the mission sent Dr. David Brown, VOI president, to school at the International Centre for Eye Health (University College, London) to equip him to lead the new, far-flung ministry.
There, in the early months of 2002, he grappled with questions along with students from all parts of the developing world--from Africa, Central Asia, East Asia--and from the United Kingdom.
While there, the mission leader also gained a deeper understanding of the World Health Organization's Vision 2020, which targets reducing blindness from a projected 75,000,000 by the year 2020, to a much lower 25,000,000.
Dr. Brown worked on and received a Certificate in Eye Programmes from the Centre. But perhaps the most important outcome of his months of study was a detailed business plan for the startup and management of the mission.
The momentum builds.
Today, Vision Outreach International has begun to act on its mission:
- Since our inception in 2002, VOI has mobilized the energies of over 250 voluteers on missions to 20 countries around the world. In all, several thousand cataracts have been removed by our teams. We also emphasize teaching the necessary skills to an ever-wider crossection of eye care professionals around the world, allowing us to reach out to the greatest number of blind in need.
VOI, what are your goals?
- To provide compassionate service to the blind poor
- To enable transfer of cataract surgery skills to eye-care professionals in the developing world
- To act as advocates for the blind poor and to involve ourselves in research and data collection that will improve their care
- To do all in the name of Jesus Christ, that the spiritually blind would see as well.
What has kept the blind poor from obtaining care?
The answer is as simple as ABC…
A. Access…limited access to professionals
B. Bad outcomes of past surgeries frighten future patients
C. Cost--even the relatively small cost today of $1, $5, $10 proves
overwhelming when you have nothing
D. Distance--patients live too far from a surgery center
E. Escort--with no one to go with the patients, or to help them
afterwards, they won't proceed
F. Fear of the unknown
How practical is your surgical technique?
"The sutureless manual cataract surgery that we employ can be done with a portable microscope powered by a 12-volt car battery. We can transport our equipment to even the most remote areas. In many cases, all we need is a roof and a patient and we can deliver cataract care."
You, too, can impact the blind poor in remote areas.
While teams travel across the globe to reach the blind, the mission at home remains…
- Prayer for the safety and effectiveness of the teams
- Funds for the purchase of necessary equipment for two teams (as a start)
- Funds for travel for each of the teams
You can play an important role in each of these challenges. Why not sign on today to pray, to give, to learn more about Vision Outreach International by contacting us through the following:
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