# Eye Surgery Charity | Fund Sight-Restoring Operations | WAN > Source: https://worldaidnetwork.org/eye-surgery > Our eye surgery charity funds sight-restoring operations in Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia — 90% of blindness is preventable. See how £200 helps. Sight restoration # Restore Sight. Change Lives. Across the communities where World Aid Network works, thousands of people are losing their sight to conditions that a short surgical procedure could reverse. Your donation funds locally-licensed eye surgeons to operate on patients who would otherwise wait years — or a lifetime — for treatment they cannot afford. [Donate to Eye Surgery ](/appeal/gift-of-sight) [Eye Health Hub ](/eye-health) Quick answer World Aid Network funds sight-restoring eye surgery — cataracts, glaucoma, trachoma and diabetic retinopathy — for poor patients in Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia who cannot afford ophthalmic care. A complete cataract operation costs approximately £200, including surgeon, lens, consumables and follow-up. All surgery is performed by PMDC, KKI or MMC-registered ophthalmologists at partner hospitals. 2.2B People worldwide with vision impairment 90% Of blindness cases are preventable or treatable 17 min Average time for a cataract operation 100% Surgery by locally-licensed ophthalmologists What we fund ## Conditions We Treat Our eye surgery programme covers a range of surgically treatable conditions. The common thread is simple: the patient cannot afford the procedure that could restore or protect their sight. ### Cataracts The world's leading cause of blindness. A clouding of the eye's natural lens causes progressively blurred vision — and in many cases, total blindness. A 17-minute surgical procedure can fully restore sight. [ Learn about cataract surgery ](/blog/cataracts-uk) ### Glaucoma Glaucoma damages the optic nerve through raised pressure inside the eye. Left untreated it causes irreversible peripheral vision loss. Early surgical intervention can halt further damage. [ Learn about glaucoma ](/blog/glaucoma-uk) ### Trachoma Trachoma is a bacterial infection that causes progressive scarring of the eyelid. Repeated infection leads to the eyelid turning inward so the eyelashes scratch the cornea — surgery reverses this before permanent blindness sets in. [ Learn about trachoma ](/blog/trachoma-guide) ### Diabetic retinopathy Diabetes damages the blood vessels supplying the retina. Laser treatment and surgical intervention can stabilise vision and prevent progression to blindness for patients who otherwise cannot afford private ophthalmology. ### Corneal disease Infections, injuries and scarring can permanently cloud the cornea. Corneal surgical procedures, including transplantation, can restore functional vision for patients who meet clinical criteria. ### Other treatable conditions Our programme covers any surgically treatable eye condition where the sole barrier to treatment is the patient's inability to afford the cost of care — from pterygium excision to eyelid reconstruction. Our model ## How the Programme Works 01 ### Patient Referral A partner hospital identifies a patient with a treatable eye condition who cannot afford the cost of surgery. 02 ### Means Assessment The partner hospital verifies clinical need and confirms the patient would otherwise be unable to access care. 03 ### Funding Released World Aid Network trustees approve the grant and funds are transferred directly to the partner hospital within 24 hours. 04 ### Surgery & Recovery A locally-licensed ophthalmologist performs the procedure and manages post-operative recovery care in-country. ### What your donation does £20 Funds pre-operative eye assessments and diagnostic tests for one patient £50 Covers anaesthesia and post-operative medications for one cataract patient £100 Contributes toward a full cataract removal procedure at a partner hospital £200 Funds a complete cataract operation including surgery, consumables and follow-up care £350 Covers trabeculectomy or other surgical intervention for a glaucoma patient £500 Funds corneal surgery or a complex ophthalmic procedure for one patient Figures are illustrative and based on average partner-hospital costs. Actual costs vary by country and procedure type. All surgery is delivered by locally-licensed ophthalmologists in registered facilities. Learn more ## Eye Health Reading Our blog covers the conditions we treat, how surgery works, and how your donation makes a difference. [ Cataracts: Symptoms, Surgery and How Sight Is Restored Everything you need to know about cataract surgery — how it works, what to expect, and how a short procedure restores full vision. ](/blog/cataracts-uk)[ Glaucoma: Symptoms, Eye Tests, Treatment and Preventing Blindness Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Understand the signs, tests, and how early treatment prevents sight loss. ](/blog/glaucoma-uk)[ Trachoma: The World's Leading Infectious Cause of Blindness Trachoma causes progressive eyelid scarring and corneal damage. Learn how a simple surgical procedure reverses the damage. ](/blog/trachoma-guide) Common questions ## Frequently Asked Questions Who carries out the eye surgery? + All surgical procedures are performed by locally-licensed and registered ophthalmologists working in registered hospitals and clinics — PMDC-registered in Pakistan, KKI-registered in Indonesia and MMC-registered in Malaysia. World Aid Network funds the cost of surgery; we do not employ surgeons or operate theatres. How long does cataract surgery take? + A routine cataract operation using phacoemulsification technique takes approximately 15–20 minutes per eye. Patients are typically discharged the same day — cataract surgery is performed as a day-case outpatient procedure in registered hospital facilities. Is cataract surgery painful? + Cataract surgery is performed under local anaesthetic eye drops and is not painful. Patients may experience mild pressure or a sensation of movement during the procedure, but not pain. Post-operative discomfort is usually mild and managed with prescribed eye drops and simple analgesia. What is the success rate of cataract surgery? + Cataract surgery is one of the most successful operations in medicine. In experienced hands, the probability of achieving significantly improved vision exceeds 95%. Complications — including posterior capsule rupture, infection (endophthalmitis) and raised intraocular pressure — are rare and manageable with prompt treatment. Can cataract surgery restore full sight? + For the majority of patients, cataract surgery restores vision to near-normal levels. Following surgery and fitting of the correct intraocular lens (IOL) implant, most patients no longer need glasses for distance vision. Some may still require glasses for reading, depending on the lens type used and any pre-existing refractive error. What happens after cataract surgery? + After surgery, patients use prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for several weeks. Vision typically improves within 24–48 hours and continues to improve over two to four weeks as the eye heals. Follow-up assessments confirm the final visual outcome and check for complications. Which eye conditions does the programme cover? + Our programme covers cataracts, glaucoma, trachoma, diabetic retinopathy, corneal disease and other surgically treatable conditions where the sole barrier to treatment is cost. Trustees prioritise cases where surgery can restore functional sight. How is glaucoma treated surgically? + Surgical options for glaucoma include trabeculectomy (creating a new drainage channel to reduce intraocular pressure), minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), and tube or shunt implants. The approach depends on the type and severity of glaucoma and the patient's response to medical treatment. World Aid Network funds surgical intervention for glaucoma patients who cannot afford private ophthalmology care. What is trachoma and how is it treated surgically? + Trachoma is caused by repeated bacterial infection (Chlamydia trachomatis) that produces progressive scarring of the inner eyelid. This leads to trichiasis — the eyelid turns inward and eyelashes scratch the cornea, causing pain and irreversible corneal damage. A surgical procedure called bilamellar tarsal rotation corrects the eyelid position and stops further corneal damage. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes and is highly effective when performed early by a trained surgeon. Can children receive funded eye surgery? + Yes. The programme is not restricted by age. Children with treatable conditions — including childhood cataracts (which must be treated early to prevent permanent amblyopia), squint requiring surgical correction, or trachoma — are eligible where both clinical need and financial need are established by the partner hospital. How are patients selected for funded surgery? + Partner hospitals refer patients based on documented clinical need and a means test confirming the patient cannot afford private care. Our trustees approve funding in line with our published grant criteria. Does my donation go directly to surgery costs? + Yes. Donations to the eye surgery programme fund the direct cost of surgery — theatre fees, consumables and post-operative care — at partner hospitals. World Aid Network covers administrative costs from separate unrestricted funds. How quickly can someone receive surgery after a donation? + Partner hospitals maintain surgical waiting lists and can schedule procedures as soon as funds are confirmed — in many cases within days of a referral being approved. What does 'locally-licensed ophthalmologist' mean? + A locally-licensed ophthalmologist is a fully qualified eye surgeon registered with the national medical council in their country of practice — PMDC in Pakistan, KKI in Indonesia, and MMC in Malaysia. This is equivalent to GMC registration in the UK. All surgeons in our programme hold current registration with their national medical council. Why does World Aid Network focus on surgery rather than glasses or medication? + Surgery addresses the root cause of sight loss — it removes the cataract, treats the glaucoma, or corrects the eyelid. Glasses compensate for refractive error but cannot restore sight lost to cataract or glaucoma. Where a surgical procedure exists that can permanently restore or protect vision, we fund the operation directly. Will my donation be Gift Aid eligible? + World Aid Network is a UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation with charity registration in progress. Gift Aid will be claimable once registration is granted — meaning UK taxpayers will be able to add 25p for every £1 donated at no cost to them. We will contact all donors to process Gift Aid declarations once registration is confirmed. Can I sponsor a specific number of operations? + Yes. A donation of £200 funds a complete cataract operation including surgery, consumables and follow-up care. You can donate any multiple of this amount and we will allocate your gift to as many operations as it covers. On request, we can provide an impact update confirming how your donation was used. Can I donate in memory of someone to the eye surgery programme? + Yes. Many supporters make memorial gifts to the eye surgery programme in honour of a loved one. Please contact us at info@worldaidnetwork.org and we will ensure your tribute is recorded and acknowledged appropriately. [ Medically Reviewed **Mr Mohamed Mohyudin — Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon** MBChB BSc MSc FRCOphth CCT · GMC No. 7039600 · 16 years' experience · 5,000+ cataract surgeries · Double fellowship: Paediatric Ophthalmology & Oculoplastics · Bupa Fee-Assured & NHS Consultant, Yorkshire ](https://mohamedmohyudin.co.uk/) ## Ready to Restore Sight? Every donation to our Ray of Hope Appeal funds eye surgery for patients who would otherwise lose their sight permanently. A single procedure can restore a person's independence, livelihood and dignity. [Sponsor Cataract Surgery — £200 ](/sponsor-a-cataract-operation) [Gift of Sight Appeal ](/appeal/gift-of-sight) [Blindness charity](/blindness-charity) [Diabetic retinopathy programme](/diabetic-retinopathy-charity) [Cataract charity guide](/blog/cataract-charity-uk) UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation · Charity registration in progress · Gift Aid will apply once registered --- World Aid Network is a UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity registration in progress; application ref 5290505, ICO ref ZC156579).