Australian not-for-profit Sight For All has teamed up with long-term supporter ZEISS, in a drive to raise funds for much-needed ophthalmic equipment in new eye clinics in countries like Cambodia and Fiji.
Since its inception in 2009, the organisation has made a profound and lasting impact across Southeast Asia, aiming to deliver sustainable eye health programs that empower local communities and prevent avoidable blindness.
The model focuses on education, collaboration, and capacity-building through training local ophthalmologists, optometrists, and allied eye health professionals to provide comprehensive and long-term care within their own communities.
In countries like Cambodia, where access to specialist eyecare is severely limited outside major cities, Sight For All’s programs have often given many people their first and only chance at diagnosis or intervention.
According to the organisation, this is particularly the case in remote provinces like Ratanakiri, a mountainous region in Cambodia’s northeast and home to several indigenous highland tribes. Geographical isolation, linguistic barriers, and limited health infrastructure make it incredibly challenging for these communities to access even basic healthcare, let alone advanced ophthalmic services.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters, Sight For All has been able to provide diagnostic and surgical equipment to eye units in provincial hospitals, including Ratanakiri.
Equipment such as slit lamps, indirect ophthalmoscopes, autorefractors, and surgical microscopes are not only vital for diagnosing anterior and posterior segment pathology but also for enabling immediate treatment of conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and infectious keratitis.
All of which, if left untreated, can lead to irreversible blindness.
To ensure communities have a sustainable eyecare solution in place, Sight For All’s approach pairs training with equipment to build the skills and confidence of local eye health professionals.
“Through this model, numerous individuals in Ratanakiri have received treatment to save their sight or preserve their remaining vision. Many of whom had lived for years with progressive vision loss, unaware that their condition was treatable,” the organisation stated.
“These outcomes are only possible through continued donor support. Every contribution helps bridge the gap in equitable eye care access by funding high-quality equipment and supporting the education of local professionals. In doing so, Sight For All not only restores sight, but it also restores independence, opportunity, and dignity.”
Professor Bob Casson, who founded Sight For all alongside fellow ophthalmologists Dr James Muecke and Associate Professor Henry Newland, said: “As ophthalmic professionals, we understand the urgency of timely intervention. Together, we can ensure that no one, no matter how remote their location, is left in the dark from treatable blindness.”
Sight For All has teamed up with ZEISS to raise money for equipment.
The funds raised will enable Sight For All to purchase much-needed eyecare equipment to diagnose and treat eye conditions for new eye clinics in countries like Cambodia and Fiji.
Mr Dane Moloney, head of ZEISS Medical Technology ANZ, said: “On behalf of the MED team at ZEISS ANZ we are honoured to support Sight For All in this important initiative.”
To donate and make treatment more accessible, visit Sight For All – Sight Saving Equipment+ Fund or to learn more about Sight For All’s sight saving work, visit sightforall.org.
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