Cataract Surgeries That Build the Future

In the first quarter of 2026, Eye Corps supported two surgical outreaches in the Kilimanjaro and Dodoma regions of Tanzania, in remote, predominantly rural districts where access to specialized eye care is extremely limited. The outreaches took place in February and March, screening over 2,000 patients resulting in nearly 300 cataract surgeries.

Each outreach delivered high-quality cataract and ophthalmic surgery to patients who would otherwise need to travel long distances—often over difficult terrain—to reach care. The successful outcomes of the program quickly revealed the depth of unmet need in the regions. As patients regained sight and shared their experiences within surrounding villages, word spread rapidly, resulting in additional patients seeking treatment.

In response, Eye Corps’ Kilimanjaro based team returned to the Same district in April to address the overflow of patients needing care following the first outreach. This second campaign allowed our team to treat 600 additional patients for basic eye care and screenings, followed by over 100 additional cataract surgeries. This follow-up visit was instrumental in strengthening trust with local partners and reinforced the importance of Eye Corps’ mission of building sustainable, locally-led solutions in Tanzania.

With the GlobalGiving project: Cataract Surgeries that Build the Future, now 34% funded, your continued support will help restore sight, independence, and dignity for patients in Tunduru and beyond who are still waiting for care.

Screen & Provide Glasses to Rural Tanzanians
Since our last update, Eye Corps has remained active in the Chemba District of Dodoma Region in central Tanzania, a predominantly rural area where access to basic vision care is extremely limited. Local outreach activity has continued with a campaign led in February, reaching a total of 752 patients screened across multiple communities, many of whom had never previously received an eye examination.

Eye Corps–trained ophthalmic staff used portable eye charts and simple diagnostic tools to identify common and treatable eye conditions. Patients in need of glasses received them—often experiencing clear vision for the first time—restoring clarity, dignity, and independence in their daily lives.

This outreach reflects the same locally led, sustainable approach that underpins our GlobalGiving project to provide eye screenings for 300 people in need. Project funds directly support screening activities like the one carried out in Chemba by helping cover essential equipment, supplies, and trained personnel required to deliver preventative eye care in underserved regions.

We are deeply grateful for your continued support. With additional funding, we will be able to expand screening efforts to reach more individuals who still lack access to even the most basic vision care—bringing us closer to our goal of screening 300 people and ensuring no one is left behind due to preventable vision loss.

Since our last report in the summer of 2025, Eye Corps conducted two surgical outreaches in the Tunduru District of southern Tanzania, a remote, predominantly rural area where access to specialized eye care is extremely limited. The outreaches took place in August, followed by a return visit in November, and were locally led by our expertly trained surgical team based in Songea, Ruvuma.

The August outreach delivered high-quality cataract and ophthalmic surgery to patients who would otherwise need to travel long distances—often over difficult terrain—to reach care. The successful outcomes of the program quickly revealed the depth of unmet need in the region. As patients regained sight and shared their experiences within surrounding villages, word spread rapidly, resulting in additional patients seeking treatment.

In response, Eye Corps’ Songea based team returned to Tunduru in November to address this growing demand. The second outreach allowed our team to treat 86 additional patients with eye disease and surgical needs. This follow-up visit was instrumental in strengthening trust with local partners and reinforced the importance of Eye Corps’ mission of building sustainable, locally-led solutions in Tanzania.

With the GlobalGiving project: Cataract Surgeries that Build the Future, now 34% funded, your continued support will help restore sight, independence, and dignity for patients in Tunduru and beyond who are still waiting for care.