Where we work
Sightsavers works in more than 30 countries in some of the poorest parts of the world.
Our work focuses on low and middle income countries in Africa and Asia.
In 2018 we carried out more than 16 million eye examinations across the countries where we work, and distributed more than 113 million treatments to prevent and treat debilitating diseases.
Our first programmes in the 1950s started in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, with several other African countries following in the next two decades. In the 1960s and 70s we also expanded into Asia with our first projects in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and continued to extend our work across Africa. Most recently, we started work in Yemen in 2018, distributing treatments for neglected tropical diseases.
Our work in Sri Lanka came to an end in 2016, marking an exciting milestone: it’s the first time we’ve been able to finish our work in a country, satisfied that the eye care services we’ve set up can continue without us.
Our history
Sightsavers has been changing lives and restoring sight worldwide since 1950.
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Pakistan
“Restoring people’s sight and empowering people with disabilities gives me immense satisfaction.”
Munazza Gillani, country director
More from Pakistan
Zambia
“Saving people’s sight isn’t just my job: it's my calling. I’m happy to help children have a brighter future.”
Mr Ndalela, ophthalmic doctor
Read Mr Ndalela’s story
Uganda
“If we are all Ugandans, we should all be treated equally. That is what I want: to see change.”
Edith Kagoya, programme manager
Read Edith’s story
Learn more about how we save sight worldwide
About SightsaversOur work around the globe
Treating disease and caring for patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
For more than 20 years, medication has been distributed in Cameroon to stop the spread of river blindness. Yet people are still testing positive for the disease. We wanted to know why.
Stories from the SHIP eye health project in Pakistan
Sightsavers’ eye health screening project in Pakistan is helping children see and learn all over the country. We listen to stories of some of the children we have helped.
November updates: highlights from around the world
In Nigeria, a lymphatic filariasis patient is planning to marry his partner after receiving treatment to stop his pain. Plus news from Senegal, Zambia and India.
October updates: highlights from around the world
In Nigeria, an eye health volunteer has been rewarded for helping to prevent river blindness for more than 20 years. Plus news from Zimbabwe, Ghana and Mali.
How soap and superheroes are changing lives
Geordie Woods explains how the Super School of Five trachoma prevention programme is protecting school children from this devastating disease.
How Sightsavers celebrated World Sight Day
To mark World Sight Day 2019 on 10 October, Sightsavers country offices celebrated by highlighting the need to provide good-quality eye care to everyone.
“That lady who was going blind? Look at her now!”
In northern Kenya, Sightsavers’ Sarah Filbey visits an eye camp that treats both trachoma and cataracts, ensuring everyone gets the life-changing help they need.
Halving blindness in the remote Sundarbans
In this rural mangrove region of eastern India, one in 50 people used to be blind. But a Sightsavers project has transformed eye health in the area, changing thousands of lives.
Eye care for everyone in India
Sightsavers India is partnering with hospitals, tapping into existing eye care systems and creating new ones to provide affordable eye care for people living in some of the poorest areas of the country.
