Research

All of the research supported through The Fred Hollows Foundation aims to improve our understanding of how to tackle avoidable blindness. We seek high impact information and results to address the most pressing issues that keep people needlessly blind today. The information gained through research is used to inform our work with local governments and partners to develop systems that enable us to end avoidable blindness.
 

Transforming Lives: an investment case for eye health

World-first research by The Fred Hollows Foundation and Victoria University’s Institute for Strategic Economic Studies released in 2023 has developed a landmark model that estimates the return on investment (ROI) in eye health.

The key findings of the report demonstrate that investments in eye health are among the highest ROI of any disease intervention modelled by similar investment cases.

Cataract treatment on average returns US$20.50 for every dollar spent.

Refractive error treatments return on average US$10.80 for myopia (nearsightedness) and US$8 for presbyopia (age-related vision loss).

Together, investment in the two leading causes of blindness and vision impairment will return on average US$9.40 for each dollar spent.

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PricewaterhouseCoopers: Investing in Vision

One example is research we commissioned with PricewaterhouseCoopers – it uncovered the compelling link between restoring sight and economic development. It found that for every US$1 invested in ending avoidable blindness, there was a US$4 economic benefit for a country’s economy. By looking at our key goal through an economic lens, it was demonstrated that ending avoidable blindness has benefits reaching far beyond health alone. If more people in a nation can see, more people can go to school, work, raise children or start businesses. Ending avoidable blindness improves the economy, equality, skills, GDP and development of a nation, while reducing the financial and social burden.
 
Here are some findings from the research:
 
There are still millions who need our help

  • An estimated 43.3 million people are blind around the world
  • 1.1 billion people worldwide live with some form of vision loss because they don’t have access to basic eye care services
  • 90% of people who are blind live in developing countries 

It’s not just people who are suffering

  • Ending avoidable blindness could inject as much as US$517 billion into struggling economies over a decade
  • Every year, avoidable blindness costs developing countries around US$49 billion in lost economic activity
  • Ending avoidable blindness in the developing world can be achieved for as little as US$2.20 per person, per year 

For every US$1 invested in blindness prevention

  • Globally: a potential return of US$4 in economic gains
  • Pakistan: a potential return of US$6
  • Kenya: a potential return of US$3.56
  • Yunnan Province (one of the poorest regions in China): a potential return of US$3.16 

Delve deeper into our studies – with our latest research reports and studies:

Transforming Lives: An Investment Case for Eye Health
World-first research by The Fred Hollows Foundation and Victoria University’s Institute for Strategic Economic Studies released in 2023 has demonstrated an investment case for scaling up programs to reduce blindness and vision impairment globally.

Investing in Vision
Take a closer look at our PricewaterhouseCoopers report findings. The research delves into the impact of avoidable blindness from an economic standpoint. This document is the world’s first global cost benefit analysis of eliminating avoidable blindness.
 
The Visionary Study
In partnership with the world-class research facility, The George Institute for Global Health, we explored the impact of cataract surgery on patients in Vietnam. The results show that 17% fewer patients experience social and economic hardship after cataract surgery.
 
Better Vision, Healthy Aging project
In 2011, The Foundation recognised the rapid increase of an aging population in the Asia region. We collaborated with the Burnet Institute (Australia’s largest virology and communicable disease research institute) to discover ways to improve the health and vision for elders in the region. The results of this study brought about establishing the 204 Elders Clubs where elderly people can more easily access eye health advice. 


 

Technology

Fred believed the only way to eliminate avoidable blindness was to break down every barrier in his way. One of these barriers was making sure developing countries had access to new technologies. Access was the first step, followed by reducing the cost of getting these tools to the people who needed them most.
 
We fund our partners to develop technology that is innovative, affordable and, most importantly, helps us reach our goal of ending avoidable blindness sooner. We collaborate with organisations that share our vision, sharing skills and working together to achieve this.
 

To help someone to see was a tremendous feeling and with medical and technological advances, we have greatly increased the ability of eye doctors to give that help.
- Professor Fred Hollows

Intraocular lenses


In the final years of Fred’s life, he worked tirelessly to open intraocular lens factories in Eritrea and Nepal. These lenses were vital in restoring sight to people undergoing cataract surgery. If made in Australia, they’d cost hundreds of dollars. However, Fred knew if they were made locally, they’d become significantly more affordable. And he was right.

One year after he passed away, two laboratories were opened in his name; one in Asmara and one in Kathmandu. The lenses cost as little as US$5 each and are as vital today as they were in Fred’s time. To date, the laboratories have manufactured over 8 million lenses and are exported to more than 50 countries.
 

Arclight

The Arclight is an inexpensive, pocket-sized breakthrough; an ophthalmoscope, made for diagnosing eye diseases in the developing world. Invented by William J Williams, with the support of The Foundation, it’s tipped to revolutionise eye care in the same way intraocular lenses did when they were first manufactured 20 years ago.
 
Lightweight, portable and solar powered, the Arclight costs around US$10, and is affordable for even the most under resourced health clinics in developing countries. By bringing health workers an affordable, mobile and easily accessible device, many more millions of people will now have the chance to get the back of their eyes comprehensively examined. Early and thorough eye examinations are vital for detecting diseases like cataract, trachoma and diabetic retinopathy before they cause blindness.