FAMILY HEALTH

Eye Health

In poor nations 33.3 million people are blind as eye care is inaccessible. The Mercy Vision program is designed to address surgical and medical eye needs in environments where preventable blindness is widespread.

Cataracts are the most common cause of avoidable blindness worldwide. However, most incidents of cataract blindness are curable and sight can be restored with a low-cost 20 minute eye surgery on our Mercy Ships. Words can’t explain what it’s like to witness someone see themselves, their loved ones and the world again.

Non-surgical eye care is also provided to treat allergies, infection, injury and pain. Sunglasses are distributed to protect sensitive eyes after operations, and reading glasses are supplied to visually impaired patients. The program also provides many opportunities to train local surgeons and provide ophthalmic training for local health workers.