Prior to the establishment of this project basic primary eye care was not available outside Vila, the capital of Vanuatu.  This meant that large numbers of people were severely visually handicapped for want of a pair of glasses. Many others had debilitating or blinding eye conditions that went completely undiagnosed and untreated.  Diabetes, which was in epidemic proportions, was untreated and many patients were found to have diabetic retinopathy. Many lives have been changed over the years but there are many more living on the 83 islands that make up Vanuatu who need assistance.

Each year a group of Australian surgeons and other medical professionals travel to Vanuatu to conduct a series of clinics on a number of different islands. The team perform basic eye surgery, screen patients for diabetes and high blood pressure and treat patients with general medical needs. Many of the medical issues they see are serious and life threatening. The team also train local nurses in the basic skills of refraction and diagnosis.

To download a project information sheet please click here.