We’re so close to beating trachoma
In April 2018, Sightsavers CEO Caroline Harper pitched an ambitious plan to eliminate trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, during her talk at the TED conference in Vancouver.
About 2 million people worldwide are blind or visually impaired because of trachoma, but the disease can be treated, cured and prevented from recurring.
Trachoma has already been eliminated in countries including Ghana, Oman, Morocco and Mexico, meaning millions of people no longer live with the pain, suffering and blindness it can cause. Yet there are still 44 countries that count trachoma as a public health problem. Working with our partners, we’re on track to eliminate the disease in the countries where we work.
Trachoma starts as a bacterial infection
Find out more about the diseaseHow we’re eliminating the disease
A billion treatments
In 2017 we counted down to our one billionth treatment for neglected tropical diseases such as trachoma. We finally reached our target, bringing us one step closer to eliminating these diseases.
Read about our milestone
Tracking trachoma
Sightsavers is pioneering new ways to use technology to help save sight. Our innovative digital health projects have used smartphones to gather data, so we know exactly where our help is needed.
Learn about trachoma mapping
Training local people
We help to train health workers and volunteers so they can provide support in their own communities. Volunteer Aishatu Ahmed wants to encourage women to join the fight against trachoma in Nigeria.
Read Aishatu’s story
Help us eliminate trachoma
