In developing countries, 4 out of 5 people who are blind may not be. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. Imagine for a moment that you or a member of your family is blind, and only by circumstances. It is almost unthinkable, yet millions of people around the world are in this situation.
The reason people live with blindness is because they cannot access quality medical care. In the vast majority of cases, a surgery of approximately 20 minutes can restore vision.
The accumulation of untreated cataracts is increasing rapidly as a consequence of the aging population.
Ninety percent of people who suffer from avoidable blindness live in developing countries. Blindness means children cannot go to school, workers cannot work to support their families, and older people lose their independence.
28% of people with moderate and severe visual impairment are of working age.
The reason people live with blindness is because they lack access to quality medical care. In the vast majority of cases, a surgery lasting approximately 20 minutes can restore sight.
Our commitment to reduce that number, and therefore collaborate with economic and social development, is the reason for our work.
Fundación Elena Barraquer organizes week-long medical and surgical expeditions to remote locations around the world to perform cataract surgeries to restore sight. These surgical teams carry all the necessary materials, allowing them to perform a manual technique without sutures for cataract removal in areas where such surgery is not otherwise available.
Dr. Elena Barraquer, a world leader in her field, leads a team of more than 70 specialists, including surgeons, ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, and nurses.
The Elena Barraquer Foundation sends short-term surgical missions around the world to perform vision-restoring cataract surgeries. These medical teams carry all the necessary surgical equipment and supplies, enabling them to perform sutureless cataract removal in areas where such surgery is unavailable or unaffordable for everyone.
Restoring sight transforms the quality of life for blind people and their families.
Continue with care work and become a platform for other ophthalmologists to have at their disposal the necessary tools to also fight against preventable blindness.
“If all the ophthalmologists in the world dedicate a week of our time to others, the problem of avoidable blindness would be solved.”
