A cataract is the formation of a cloudy screen over the natural lens which is normally clear, located immediately behind the colored section of our eye, but for any reason loses its transparency, becomes cloudy and impairs vision. According to the degree of the cataract in eyes affected by the disease, this can begin as slightly clouded vision, and reach a level where only light is visible. Cataract, the most common cause of blindness in the world, is a loss of sight that can be treated.

Many people lose their vision due to the intense heat, malnutrition and climate conditions in Africa. Adding this to the inadequate numbers of ophthalmologists, many patients in rural areas are condemned to darkness without surgery.

Clouded vision, sensitivity to light, difficulty in distinguishing colors, a painless, gradual loss of vision, difficulty in reading, patched or double vision, fading and yellowing of colors, the need of more light, shortsightedness which occurs later, a significant reduction in vision that occurs in later stages of the disease and whitening of the pupils. Cataract worsens over time if it is not treated. In such cases, the patient sees light and direction of light but is unable to see objects.

Cataract is not a disease that only affects elderly people. Cataract can also appear in babies and young children.

A majority of the time, cataract is a disease that affects both eyes. This can begin and develop in both eyes, and affect both eyes at the same level. But sometimes cataract can begin only in one eye.

The speed in the development of cataract changes from person to person, and even between the two eyes of an individual. While cataract can develop gradually over years in some people, it can develop more rapidly especially in diabetics, and both eyes can be affected by the disease at the same time.

The treatment for cataract is an eye operation; surgery is the only treatment for the disease. 

When the vision level of the patient is inadequate, an illness such as an eye infection caused the cataract or the individual is suffering from high eye pressure, then surgery must be performed immediately.

Cataract surgery is an operation that takes 15 minutes using the modern cataract surgery method FAKO. Although there may be certain differences technically in individual operations, the general procedure in cataract surgery is removing the cataract and replacing this with an artificial lens.

This project began in 2007.

In addition to donations given by our donators, we also provide the support of medical equipment and volunteer doctors.

Since 2007, our foundation performed cataract operations periodically in 13 African countries. These countries include Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Chad, Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Niger, Sudan, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Somalia. Eye operations are performed on a regular basis in the eye hospital we established in Niger in 2014. Since 2017, we began to perform cataract operations not only in Africa, but also in various other regions.

People in need ranging from almost all ages are benefitting from our cataract operations. Age distribution is determined by the need in different regions.

The cost of a cataract operation is 75$.

Although the cost of each eye operation is 90, donations of a smaller amount are collected, and these donations enable patients to regain vision.

Yes, this is possible you can call us on 0212 631 2121for more detailed information. Our foundation conducts the cataract operations via AID, the Alliance of International Doctors. If you wish, you can participate in the cataract operations by contacting this organization. Click for volunteer applications.

Yes, you can contact us about this by calling 0212 631 2121.

Yes, you can.