Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is a leader in providing support for preventing avoidable blindness and restoring sight for people around the world. Our sight programs include developing and improving eye care systems, providing sight-restoring surgeries and treatments, and distributing medications to those most at-risk for eye diseases.
Since 1990, LCIF's SightFirst program has played a key role in reducing global blindness. With a focus on building comprehensive and sustainable eye care systems, SightFirst provides funding for projects that deliver eye care services, build or strengthen eye care facilities, train professionals and build awareness about eye health in underserved communities.
In January 2000, the Belize City Lions Club received a US$260,000 SightFirst grant to eliminate the cataract backlog in Belize within five years and establish the country’s first specialized public eye care center. This was a collaborative effort with the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), the Ministry of Health, PAHO, CBM, and Sight Savers International. The grant funded the completion and furnishing of the eye clinic’s hostel, purchased ophthalmic equipment and provided training for eye care professionals. Ultimately, the successful project more than doubled the number of cataract surgeries performed each year, provided specialized diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma treatment, and offered patients and families an affordable place to stay while receiving care away from home.
In August 2013, the Lions of Belize received a US$192,326 SightFirst grant for the detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy throughout Belize. The funds equipped the National Eye Clinic and five satellite clinics, in partnership with BCVI. Five optometrists, two nurses, and four assistants were trained on equipment use, identification, and referral of patients with diabetic retinopathy. One ophthalmologist was trained on laser surgery, enabling the provision of diabetic retinopathy laser treatment year round. The funds also allowed for the development of a diabetic retinopathy public awareness campaign, in partnership with the Ministry of Health’s Community Health Workers. Since 2013, 1,551 patients have been screened and 362 have received laser treatment.
Congratulations, BCVI, on 35 years of fulfilling your mission to prevent and cure blindness, restore sight, and to rehabilitate and educate people who are blind to enable them to use their talents and abilities to live independent lives. Here's to 35 more!
