Photo courtesy of Hugh Rutherford.

Records results for 2008

The Fred Hollows Foundation has released its results for 2008, with a record 176,472 people receiving sight-saving eye operations and treatments and over 1.3 million patients being screened in 18 countries worldwide.
Eye operations and treatments in 2008
These results represent an increase of approximately 20% in eye operations in just one year.

Jaf Shah, CEO of The Fred Hollows Foundation (UK), says that he is thrilled with the result.

“I’m so proud that The Fred Hollows Foundation (UK), through its support of blindness eradication programmes in Nepal, has played a role in this major accomplishment," said Shah.

These results represent an increase of approximately 20% in eye operations in just one year. The Foundation also increased the number of eye health workers it trained from 3,284 in 2007, to 5,217 last year.

In 2008, The Fred Hollows Foundation also completed upgrades to 29 eye health facilities and provided over $1.5 million for vital medical equipment. 

The Foundation works in 18 countries throughout the world - carrying on the work of the late Professor Fred Hollows.

Some highlights in the 2008 results include:

  • Developing new paediatric ophthalmology programs in places such as Pakistan, Vietnam and Cambodia
  • The production of the three millionth intra-ocular lens from Fred Hollows Intra Ocular Lens laboratories in Nepal and Eritrea
  • Reaching into new areas such as Afghanistan, Laos and Rwanda

Said Shah, "We have been able to make this difference because of the support we have received from our donors. This support has enabled us to restore sight to thousands of people in the last year."