SightFirst
Since 1990, SightFirst funds have enabled Lions, health care providers, and partner organizations around the world to fight the major causes of preventable and reversible blindness and assist those who are blind or visually impaired. More than 488 million people have been impacted over the last 30 years. Millions more still need our help.
Vision for All
Since 1990, SightFirst has played a major role in helping restore, improve and preserve the vision of millions around the world.
- More than US$382 million approved for over 1,437 projects in 118 countries
- 9.7 million cataract surgeries performed to restore sight
- 1,372 eye centers and training institutions built, expanded or equipped
- 2.4 million professional eye care and community health workers trained
- 204.4 million doses of Zithromax® distributed to control trachoma and more than 955,900 trachoma surgeries performed
- 327.9 million doses of Mectizan® distributed to halt the progression of onchocerciasis
Our Mission
To strengthen eye care systems in underserved communities, enabling them to fight blindness and vision loss and assist those who are blind or visually impaired.
Our Strategy
Lions organize SightFirst projects in partnership with local health authorities, eye care professionals and other non-governmental organizations. Lions are actively involved in project management, fundraising, advocacy, coordination of outreach events and publicity. SightFirst projects employ one or more of the following strategies:
- Delivering eye care services
- Training eye care professionals and management personnel
- Upgrading the infrastructure of existing eye care systems
- Improving access to education and rehabilitation for persons who are blind or visually impaired
- Increasing public awareness of the importance of eye health
Our Values
SightFirst supports the development of comprehensive eye care systems that provide preventative and diagnostic services and treatment for all relevant eye diseases as well as rehabilitation for those with irreversible blindness or low vision.
- SightFirst prioritizes aid to underserved populations unable to access eye care, education and/or rehabilitation because of economic, social or geographic barriers.
- SightFirst delivers equitable, high-quality eye care and rehabilitation services.
- SightFirst creates sustainable eye care systems by improving existing infrastructure and training local personnel to provide cost-effective services.
- SightFirst is data-driven, determining project feasibility through the analysis of surveys and assessing project integrity through regular monitoring and evaluation.
Our Focus
- Comprehensive Eye Care
- Eye Health Education
- Childhood Blindness
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Cataract
- Trachoma
- Low Vision
- Uncorrected Refractive Error
SightFirst Gives New Life to People in Burkina Faso
LCIF’s SightFirst program has been restoring and protecting sight for more than 30 years.
Clearing Clouded Vision in Vanuatu
Lions of New Caledonia secured a US$330,043 LCIF SightFirst grant.
SightFirst Makes Remarkable Progress in China
Lions take action against cataracts in China and achieve big results.
Our Vision Partners
Get Involved
If you want to help Lions continue their historic commitment to preserving the precious gift of sight, we encourage you to make a donation today.
