What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes that affects the back of the eye. When someone has high and varying blood sugar levels, the blood vessels in the retina can become irreversibly damaged. This can lead to loss of vision and eventually blindness.

How can you tell if diabetes is affecting your eyes?

Diabetic retinopathy commonly occurs in both eyes and most often starts with no visual symptoms. In the early stages, the walls of the blood vessels in the retina weaken. This can cause fluid and blood to leak into the eye, which sometimes results in blurred vision. Some other symptoms which could develop later include fluctuating vision, double vision, floaters, and impaired colour vision. Diabetes can also cause other eye conditions such as cataract and glaucoma.

What are the stages of diabetic retinopathy?

There are four stages of diabetic retinopathy: Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy, Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy, Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy and Proliferative Retinopathy.

Can lowering blood sugar level help with diabetic retinopathy?

When blood sugar levels are consistently high, the chances of diabetic retinopathy developing are high. That is why it is important to control your blood sugar levels in order to slow down diabetic retinopathy’s progression to vision loss.

What is the cure for diabetic retinopathy?

While diabetic retinopathy can not be cured, treatments can help prevent or delay vision loss for anyone who has diabetes. For people with diabetes, it is critical to receive regular eye examinations as early detection and treatment can help prevent vision loss. These eye health examinations should be done annually or every two years at a minimum by an eye care practitioner.

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Philanthropy

Philanthropists and major donors play a very important role in helping The Fred Hollows Foundation restore sight. We depend on their generous support to create a more equitable world where no one is needlessly blind. Have questions about the impact of philanthropy on The Foundation’s work? Here are five commonly asked questions about philanthropy.

COVER PHOTO: The Fred Hollows Foundation

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What is philanthropy?
What is a major donor?
How can I partner with The Fred Hollows Foundation?
Why should I partner with The Fred Hollows Foundation?
Can I support a specific project with my donation to The Foundation?

What is philanthropy?

At its core, philanthropy embodies a deep sense of empathy and social responsibility, encouraging individuals, families, and organisations to contribute to causes that resonate with their values and beliefs.

Philanthropic efforts can take various forms, encompassing a wide range of causes, including education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation. Often, philanthropists work to address systemic issues and tackle root causes, aiming for long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.

There’s a lot of goodwill amongst the Australian people. This affords me great optimism. Australians like to help other people, they like to help people less fortunate.

- Fred Hollows

Photographer: Newspix

What is a major donor?

A major donor is someone who generously donates a substantial gift that has a significant impact on the work of a charitable organisation. There's no set amount that defines a 'major gift' – it varies depending on the organisation. For some, a major gift could be $500, while for others, it might be $10,000 or even more.

The beauty of it is that these contributions can be given over time rather than just a one-off donation. The impact of major donors goes way beyond the immediate financial support; it often fosters long-term relationships and partnerships with the organisations they support.

Whether it's providing resources for critical projects or backing ongoing initiatives, major donors hold a vital place in Australia's philanthropic landscape. Their commitment to giving back and making a meaningful difference in society set an example for others to follow.

Why should I partner with The Fred Hollows Foundation?

Major gifts can bring about life-changing differences for individuals living with avoidable blindness. They play a crucial role in enabling us to plan ahead, expand existing programs, and respond effectively to eye health emergencies.

Your support can make a significant impact through The Fred Hollows Foundation as we work to restore sight through essential surgeries and screenings. It also helps us in training local doctors and healthcare workers, constructing and upgrading vital eye health facilities, and providing essential equipment in more than 25 countries across the globe.

An area in which our major donors are helping fund is The Foundation’s community health worker training program which stretches across many countries, with the majority of it taking place in Kenya, Ethiopia, Nepal, China, and Pakistan. The Foundation provides primary eye care training, which teaches local community members the basics of screening, diagnosis and referral to the nearest health centre.

You can help us create sustainable change in eye health and put a stop to preventable blindness by investing in eye care.

The Life You Can Save (TLYCS) recognises The Fred Hollows Foundation as one of the most effective charities to donate to. TLYCS believes “that a highly effective charity will have robust evidence on the efficiency of its programs and its ability to execute good outcomes.”

Photographer: The Fred Hollows Foundation

How can I partner with The Fred Hollows Foundation?

For individuals who wish to make a significant and lasting impact, making a major gift to The Fred Hollows Foundation is a powerful way to transform lives. Major gifts can bring about life-changing differences for those living with avoidable blindness. By contributing a substantial gift, you directly support critical programs and initiatives that help restore sight in over 25 countries worldwide.

Businesses looking to make a positive social impact can partner with The Fred Hollows Foundation through corporate partnerships. These corporate partnerships not only show a company's commitment to social responsibility but also provide meaningful support to the Foundation's sight-saving programs.

Can I support a specific project with my donation to The Foundation?

Bringing about social change through activism and advocacy is a crucial part of The Foundation’s mission. We work across various areas, such as empowering local workers to implement effective, safe and quality eye interventions, strengthening national health systems focusing on eye health and encouraging in-country government support for better resources. As a result, your gift will have a far-reaching impact on numerous projects.

The Foundation acknowledges that there are many other worthy charitable causes, and it is humbling to be chosen by the Australian people, who put their trust in our work. We want all our supporters to know that we appreciate them, their expectations and their faith in our ability to make a difference.

As a valued supporter, you will receive personalised impact reports and regular updates, keeping you informed about how your gift is making a tangible difference. We believe in transparency and want you to see the real impact of your support.

INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THE FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION?

Would you like to invest in The Foundation’s vision to end avoidable blindness? Find out more about Philanthropy and Major gifts.
Is your company interested in becoming The Fred Hollows Foundation’s corporate partner? Find out more.

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About the Author

Angela Topping - The Fred Hollows Foundation

Angela is the Philanthropy Manager at The Fred Hollows Foundation. Angela is passionate about meaningful engagement and driven to building strong relationships with donors who support our most impactful and critical projects. With over 15 years of experience in the NFP sector, Angela sees the transformative power of philanthropy and the vital role it plays in advancing an interconnected, global wellbeing.