Cataract is the leading cause of blindness globally and IOLs are an integral part of restoring sight to someone with cataract. When the founder of The Fred Hollows Foundation, Prof. Fred Hollows was alive, IOLs were expensive, which meant that low-cost cataract surgery was considered impossible in developing countries. However, Fred put the pieces in place to create state-of-the-art intraocular lens factories in Eritrea and Nepal. The aim was to produce high-quality, low-cost intraocular lenses and meet the needs of the cataract blind in developing nations. Dawit said the IOLs were highly welcomed in eye camps in Eritrea because they were simple, low cost and did not need water for storage, so were suitable for use in remote areas.
However, Dawit said while there was an ample supply of IOLs, there were not enough doctors to perform cataract surgery. He said more training is needed in the country so that there would be more doctors to help people with cataract.
Located at the top of the Horn of Africa and overlooking the Red Sea coast, Eritrea is a vibrant gateway to the Middle East. Fred first came to Eritrea in 1986 when the country was fighting for independence. He also observed many people suffering from blindness. Fred decided he was going to open a factory to produce and bring down the cost of IOLs. Opening a factory would empower the Eritrean people to take charge and create valuable export income for the country as well as to restore sight to the many people who were blind. “Fred is one of the most respected people in Eritrea,” said Dawit. “His mission was to transfer technology to developing countries, not just giving money or opening a charity. This was not very common back then, and he changed the philosophy around it.” In Eritrea, people who have their sight restored would say, “let your grave springs out water’’, which was a blessing to Fred, a noble and generous person who passed away. The Eritrean Government awarded Fred an Honorary Eritrean citizenship after its independence.
Nowadays, Eritrea has a population of over 6 million, with around half living below the poverty line. Cataract is the main cause of avoidable blindness in Eritrea, with trachoma also being prevalent. But nine out of ten cases of blindness in Eritrea are avoidable. The Foundation continues to support Eritrea with programs to restore sight. In 2020, we have screened 20,546 people and performed 7,601 eye operations and treatments. We have also distributed 332 pairs of glasses. Dawit wishes there would be more experts in his home country, as he believes that restoring sight changes lives.
Today, there are 43 million people in the world who are blind – but many don’t need to be. The Fred Hollows Foundation focuses on preventable and treatable diseases such as cataract, refractive error, trachoma and diabetic retinopathy. Our in-country work involves local training and providing affordable technology, so doctors, nurses and health care workers can recognise, diagnose, refer and treat eye problems in their communities. We use research to improve our understanding of avoidable blindness, then use our findings to implement strategies and advocate for change.