The International Eye Foundation News
IEF Around The Globe
Since 1961 the International Eye Foundation has been making a difference in the treatment and prevention of ophthalmic disease. Below are some of our most recent activities. To receive an IEF newsletter by email, please sign up. [ Get the Newsletter ]
IEF Around The Globe Reports
US Representative Chris Van Hollen honored the International Eye Foundation in the Congressional Record on May 2, 2011. We are thrilled and grateful for the recognition by Congressman Van Hollen of IEF's 50 years of saving sight worldwide. In his statement, the Congressman noted "Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the International Eye Foundation for its 50 years of extraordinary work and wish it continued success in making a difference in the lives of millions of people throughout the world." Read the Complete Statement.
Pictured is Victoria Sheffield receiving Congressional Record from Joan Kleinman in Rep. Van Hollen’s office.
Alcon Labs of Ft. Worth, Texas is collaborating with IEF to improve sustainability of eye care institutions and increase modern cataract surgery using phaco-emulsification. Alcon trains ophthalmologists around the world in phaco surgery, but the hospitals where the doctors work often lack capacity to increase the number of patients that can be treated and operated. With Alcon support, IEF will identify eye hospitals in India, Russia and Egypt where our innovative sustainability model can be introduced in collaboration with Alcon’s on-going training to maximize impact and effectiveness of both approaches.
Raheem Rahmathullah, IEF’s Training and Development Manager pictured at left, met with Mr. Jawed Zia, Alcon's Managing Director for India, pictured at right, and his team at their headquarters in Bangalore in March to begin initial planning for India.
Ghana's Dr. Patrick Kwaw-Quaidoo visits IEF HQ
"Dr. Kwaw" as he is fondly known is Chief Ophthalmologist at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Ridge is one of IEF's sustainability partners. Dr. Kwaw presented to IEF staff on the complete transformation of the Eye Department thanks to IEF's financial investments and technical assistance made possible by a grant from the de Beaumont Foundation over the last 2 years. Outpatient exams increased 18%, eye surgery increased 65%, and revenue increased 77% thanks in part to Ghana's national health insurance scheme. Dr. Kwaw described how "patients are so much happier now because they can have all their eye care needs taken care of in one place including eye exams, diagnostic tests, surgery, and spectacles".
Photo: Left to Right - Anne Ganley, Dr. James P. Ganley, Dr. Patrick Kwaw Quaidoo, Raheem Rahmathullah, John Barrows.
IEF Nominated for Gates Award
IEF has been nominated for the prestigious Gates Award for Global Health by Dr. David Paton, a distinguished ophthalmologist, academic and international health expert. The Gates Award was established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to reward and exemplify organizations which have developed processes for improving health, especially in resource poor settings, with measurable results. The $1 million prize helps further the recipient's mission and programs. "What IEF has accomplished in recognizing the efficiency of business plans, personnel training, facility adaptations, and so on is a large stride forward" said Dr. Paton.
World Sight Day - 2008
IEF's Victoria Sheffield brought attention to the 161 million visually impaired people in the world, 90% in developing countries, during an interview on Comcast Newsmakers surrounding World Sight Day in October. She described the global VISION 2020 campaign, an initiative of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness where IEF and a coalition of 80 member organizations from around the globe are working together to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020. She stated that "we've achieved a great deal reducing vitamin A deficiency, trachoma, river blindness, and even cataract. But there's more to do and with everyone's support, we'll continue to make a real difference for people suffering from needless blindness."
"Transforming Eye Hospitals and Clinics to Sustainability - The International Eye Foundation's Social Enterprise Model" was the lead article in the October issue of the European Ophthalmic Review. "This article is another in a series highlighting the achievements of IEF's sustainability programming around the world" said Dr. James P. Ganley, IEF's Board Chairman.
Rahmathullah R, Barrows J and Sheffield V, "Transforming Eye Clinics and Hospitals to Sustainability - The International Eye Foundation's Social Enterprise Model"; European Ophthalmic Review, Volume 2 (2008): 8-11
The 4-page article is available as an Acrobat PDF download:
EORarticle.pdf [1654k Acrobat PDF]
Karibuni Macho: Transforming the Eye Department at KCMC to Reach VISION 2020 Goals [July 2005]
This update from the Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, known to Moshi, Tanzania locals as "Karibuni Macho," shows how more positive interaction from supervisors can improve staff morale, camaraderie, and quality of service. The 2-page story is available as an Acrobat PDF download:
KCCOtransBro.pdf [118k Acrobat PDF]
IEF Leads Workshop in Blantyre, Malawi [June 2005]
IEF conducted a training on "Applying the BEHAVE Framework: A Workshop on Strategic Planning for Behavior Change in Child Survival" developed by the Academy for Educational Development. Read about the BEHAVE Workshop online. [ Full Story ]
Leading Change, Making Choices: Raising the Standard for Quality Eye Care for Developing Countries [April 2005]
IEF published a monograph in April 2005, outlining our experience in raising the standard for quality eye care in developing countries. The 20-page monograph is available as an Acrobat PDF download:
Monograph2005Apr.pdf [591k Acrobat PDF]
The IEF's blindness prevention and sight saving programs are funded by governmental, foundation, and corporate contributors, as well as individuals like you who generously donate online. Our website showcases our successes and our breadth of services to the developing world. Feel free to contact us with specific questions or requests. [ IEF People in the News ]