Help End Blindness in the Developing World: Prevent Trachoma!

In 2008, a terrible disease called trachoma robbed nearly 6 million people of their vision, and damaged the eyesight of 8 million people. Trachoma infects poor people without access to clean washing facilities. At present, approximately 3 percent of the world's blindness is the result of this disease.

This horrible disease causes one's eyelashes to turn inward and rub against the eyeball, leading to scarring of the surface of the eye. Every day is living agony for those with trachoma. In their desperation, some turn to tweezers to pull out the in-turned eyelashes. Unfortunately, this is only a temporary option; the eyelashes grow back quickly and stronger than before, bringing worse pain and eventually blindness.

As part of the World Health Organization's Global Elimination of trachoma by 2020 Program, Sight Savers International is working with a diverse group of partners from across the globe to bring an end to trachoma. Their collaboration with these partners is creating access to medical, surgical and hygienic innovations that are helping some of the world's poorest people fight back against this terrible disease.

Right now, an estimated 84 million cases of trachoma are in need of treatment if blindness is to be prevented. Please stand in support of Sight Savers International in their goal to fight poverty and provide help to those suffering from trachoma.