There are several causes of blindness. Nowadays, thanks to technological advancements, cataracts can be removed surgically through techniques that have now become routine.
Over 3,000,000 people in the United States have cataract surgery each year with excellent associated outcomes. However, in developing countries, many of those suffering with cataracts become blind due to lack of medical assistance and surgical capacities.
Background cataracts remain the number one cause of blindness in the world, due to lack of knowledge concerning the procedure, financial costs associated, availability of medical facilities and lack of qualified experts to perform the corrective surgery. About 8 percent of those who become blind due to cataracts live in under-developed countries and lack the monetary power, medical information, and live far away from a proper medical facility, where surgery can be performed.
Baillie Russell-Brown founded the Sight Surgery International (SSI), a charitable organization that is committed to change this trend. Thanks to modern surgery techniques, it is possible to remove cataracts very easily. Surgeons can replace the affected lens with artificial ones, and in many cases sight can be completely restored.
In the United States, the average cost of cataract removal surgery is over $3,000. However, thanks to donated services of worldwide surgeons, the SSI can arrange these surgeries for $100 per eye in developing countries, making them available for disadvantaged individuals.
It is possible to contribute to this cause through the SSI campaign’s official website. Contributors receive a t-shirt with the motto “fight for sight” and pictures of the people the contributors are helping. Since the SSI is a verified charitable organization, donations are tax deductible.
Through these donations, many people with cataracts in under-developed countries can have their sight restored.
