sokidscansee

In developing countries, 60% of children die within a year of going blind. Childhood Blindness In all regions, children with treatable diseases, principally cataract, can have their sight restored. Childrens’ eyes cannot, however, be considered smaller versions of adults’ eyes, and specific expertise and equipment are required. It has been estimated that there are 1.4 million blind children in the world, 1 million of whom live in Asia and 300 000 in Africa (26). For more information please visit the following link to vision 2020's website.

We support grassroot projects and use internet enabled technologies to eliminate the costs involved with traditional charities, So Kids Can See (SKCS).

Volunteerism. Grassroot projects are usually self-funded ventures that outstanding individuals take on, in order to do their part to make a difference in this world. Their passion drives them to accomplish tasks beyond the confines of their daily careers and allows 100% of the funds collected to directly reach the children.

3.5.3 Childhood blindness.

Childhood blindness is one of the main priorities in VISION 2020 for the following reasons:

• causes of blindness in children differ from those in adults and require different strategies;

• delay or absence of treatment in the early stages leads to conditions which are not treatable or not easily treatable in adults, such as amblyopia;

• treatment requires specific training, knowledge, skills, and equipment;

• the number of ‘blind years’ in children is much greater than blindness occurring in adults.

For more information please visit this link prepared byWorld Health Organization and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, 2004

CBM an International Christian Development Organization that has programmes for people with visual impairments among other impairments. Please visit the CMB for more information on their organizations.

Daisy's Eye Cancer Fund is dedicated to helping children around the globe with retinoblastoma. Please visit DECF for more information.

ORBIS was one of the first organizations working in developing countries to make the prevention and treatment of childhood blindness a priority. ORBIS is strengthening pediatric eye care capacity by offering training as well as financial and technical support to its partners. ORBIS has projects for paediatric eye care in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and India. They provide care for cataracts, corneal blindness, glaucoma, retinoblastoma, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and strabismus. For more information on ORBIS please visit this link.

Childhood Blindness Links

Sightsavers International

Lions Clubs International

Non-International Links

The Vision of Children