After working in challenging conditions in Zambia’s isolated North-Western province for more than six years, ophthalmologist Edith Pola-Smith recently concluded her contract with Operation Eyesight. Over the years, she and her team traveled extensively to provide surgery and eye care in remote areas. They made a considerable impact on avoidable blindness in the region.

Edith wrote us a farewell letter expressing her satisfaction in being part of Operation Eyesight’s work. I’d like to share an excerpt with you…

Now that my contract with Operation Eyesight on the North-Western project is complete, I would just like to send my best wishes to all the Operation Eyesight staff with whom I have been involved and to thank them for the more than six years I have been associated with them and the project.

There is no doubt that the project has made a significant difference to the quality of life of very many people in that remote area and that there is such a lot still to do….

As for myself, I have thoroughly enjoyed the work, which was challenging at times, and taken great pleasure in bringing sight to so many deserving people in the rural areas. For this, I thank you on their and my own behalf!

I pray that Operation Eyesight will continue through their efforts to bring quality life to so many who otherwise would not have had a chance of having their vision restored, thereby becoming a burden to their family and the country at large.

Many thanks for the opportunity of being one of Operation Eyesight’s global family, and God bless you all.

While in Zambia two years ago, I was fortunate to spend some time with Edith, and appreciated her commitment and work ethic. All of us at Operation Eyesight send her our warmest thanks! 

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That confidence was confirmed this week at the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)’s Ninth General Assembly in Hyderabad, India.

From Monday to Thursday, we had multiple opportunities to share our vision with doctors, scientists and experts in eye care from around the world. Operation Eyesight’s focus on quality and sustainability is admired by many and shared by a growing segment of the international eye care community.

IAPB, based in London, England, is at the centre of all worldwide efforts to bring reliable eye care to everyone, including the poorest. At this event “everyone who is anyone” in the eye care world was there, with over 15,000 delegates from 87 countries.

It was convenient that this year’s event was in Hyderabad, because that’s also the location of Operation Eyesight’s India office. Our staff made nine presentations on various topics and exhibited static scientific displays (posters) that explain aspects of our work and approach.

As well, many of our programs partners from India and Africa were there, and some made their own presentations and exhibited their own scientific displays.

We also had a large and well-situated display booth that drew around 300 visitors a day, and proved to be the site of many important conversations and meetings.

One of the things that makes these general assemblies so important is that they are rare and therefore keenly anticipated. Occurring only once every four years, they are the  Olympics of eye care – you can be sure that everyone who attends is really paying attention. For Operation Eyesight, our staff learned a great deal and we, in turn, were able to showcase our own innovations to the experts of the world.

Speaking of innovations, the conference organizers offered something very cool. During the coffee and lunch breaks throughout the conference, they ran a Dialogue in the Dark. This dining format occured in complete darkness with visually impaired waiters serving the refreshments. Dialogue in the Dark is rated by Forbes International as among the top 25 unusual “dining” experiences that one must try once in their lifetime. However, for most of the delegates at this conference, it wasn’t just a novelty experience – it was a poignant reminder that “sight is life,” especially for the worlds’ most vulnerable people.

To learn more about IAPB and the scope of the conference, click here.

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I note that the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons is coming up in a few weeks, which is a great time to think of the issues that seniors face, but also the contributions they make in all kinds of ways. At Operation Eyesight, we believe that everyone has something to contribute, young or old, rich or poor.

We have some great photos in our collection – people we have met in India and Africa. We hope you’ll enjoy these pictures of some of the older people who live in the places where Operation Eyesight is at work.

And remember – people of all ages like a pleasant surprise. If you want to send a meaningful message to a friend or loved one, consider sending an eCard from Operation Eyesight. Your gift will put a smile on their face, and also help restore sight to older people in India and Africa, like these folks below.

Photos by Peter Carrette

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Rasoolpura is a remarkable initiative. After just five years in operation, the project has enabled such positive change in the community. One of the first things I noticed during my visit was the palpable sense of pride exhibited by the residents. It is astonishing, especially given the negative images that I, and probably many other Westerners, associate with the word “slum.”

After venturing into Rasoolpura with our team, I realized very quickly that Operation Eyesight’s activities are a catalyst for broader economic and community development. Rather than purely concentrating on eyesight issues, we are embedded in broader community initiatives, which helps us track the people who need support when it comes to preventing and treating avoidable blindness.

One of the earliest and most important activities Operation Eyesight undertook in Rasoolpura was a complete census and mapping of area residents. Every dwelling was visited and instances of eye issues and blindness were noted, along with other health conditions. As a result, targeted work that addressed the issues facing residents could begin. Today, avoidable blindness is almost eradicated in Rasoolpura!

In addition, by partnering with other non-governmental organizations and government agencies, we help bring complementary services, skills and education to the community’s residents.

For example, on our way to visit the testing centres where our vision technicians work, we passed a young mothers’ nutrition class being conducted on a street corner. In another area of the community, babies were being weighed, which helps Operation Eyesight teams monitor possible pockets of nutrition or vitamin deficiency. We also visited cooking and sewing classes. While Operation Eyesight doesn’t provide these services directly, we refer residents to other organizations that do.

As we toured Rasoolpura, what became very clear to me is what makes Operation Eyesight different from other organizations: our community outreach. It’s how our staff reach out to find health issues and then connect people with organizations who can help (if it’s not us). Our community health workers, who themselves live in Rasoolpura, are an integral part of the community.

My lasting impression is that the project and our staff members are empowering the community through education and organization to better look after and develop itself from within.

It’s not about outsiders coming in and throwing around money and expertise. It really is about sustainable development – enabling members of the Rasoolpura community to take care of their own, now and in the future.

And it’s all made possible by you, our donors and supporters. Thank you!

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