We work with our Pacific partners to treat the leading causes of avoidable blindness and vision impairment.
Today, 1.1 billion people around the world live with blindness and vision impairment. The primary causes include:
Remarkably, 90% of this blindness and vision impairment is treatable or preventable – in other words, 9 out of 10 people who are blind or vision impaired don’t need to be. And unless there is significant investment in eye care services, the number of people affected worldwide is expected to rise to 1.7 billion by 2050.
That’s why The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ works with Pacific Island partners to treat the leading causes of vision loss across the region. We strive to restore and preserve the sight of our Pacific neighbours, train the next generation of eye health workers, and build more effective and independent eye health systems.
A cataract occurs when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes clouded over time.
In the early stages, there may be no noticeable changes to a person’s sight. But as the condition develops, a person’s vision is increasingly impacted, and they may also experience sensitivity to glare and faded colours. When cataracts become more advanced, the person may only be able to distinguish light and dark.
Cataracts affect a person’s quality of life, often impacting their ability to go to school or earn a living. However, the condition is treatable. The natural lens can be removed and replaced with a clear, artificial lens, called an intraocular lens. This straightforward, 20-minute surgical procedure can restore sight.
Refractive error is a common eye condition that occurs when the eye cannot focus properly. Common forms of refractive error include:
Refractive error can be diagnosed with an eye exam and corrected with prescription glasses, contact lenses or surgery.
Diabetes eye disease (also known as diabetic retinopathy) is a complication of diabetes. Globally, it is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population. Alarmingly, up to 69% of people in the Pacific who have diabetes will develop diabetes eye disease – this is more than double the global rate.
There are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetes eye disease; at this stage, the condition can only be detected by an eye care specialist. It is only during later stages of the disease that a person will notice changes to their vision. But if undiagnosed, diabetes eye disease can cause irreversible blindness.
Early detection is therefore vital in treating diabetes eye disease. Recognising that more than surgery alone is needed to respond to the challenge of diabetes eye disease in the Pacific, we work with governments to support a multifaceted approach that includes diabetes eye care training for doctors and nurses, and raising awareness of the condition among the public and the wider health workforce.
The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ is a registered charitable organisation under the Charities Act 2005.
Charities Commission registration number is CC23722.
© 2025 The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ. All rights reserved.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Site by Marlin Communications
