Right to Sight Norge
Who are we?
Right to Sight is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to contribute to the eradication of all forms of blindness that can be cured.
The organization is affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and was established by eye surgeon Kate Coleman in 2006. Right to Sight was created as a result of WHO’s plan to eradicate treatable blindness by year 2020. The organization has had a special focus on the African continent. The Right to Sight Norway foundation was established in autumn 2011 as a sister organization of Right to Sight.
The non-profit aid organization is run by doctors and ophthalmologists with the same goal. Our aim is to eradicate needless blindness in Africa by training ophthalmologists, supporting operations and establishing clinics.
Right to Sight’s model
The model RtS works on is taken from Indian Aravind; eradicate needless blindness by developing sustainable eye health services through high patient volume and high quality services at low cost. The core of the model is equality for all, patients are not turned away if they cannot pay. Paying patients subsidize those without the ability to pay. A high patient volume makes it possible to effectively further train eye health personnel. From the beginning, Right to Sight concentrated on training eye surgeons to treat cataracts.
Cataracts are the most important cause of blindness and low vision after refractive error, and can only be treated with surgery. Cataract affects all generations in Kenya, including children and young people.
Right to Sight supports operations for the disempowered where an ophthalmologist or OCO simultaneously receives training in the operating method SICS, Small Incision Cataract Surgery. The technique can treat many people in a short amount of time, and the operation cost very little.
The Aravind model is adapted to African demographics, where a high proportion of the population live in rural areas with poor infrastructure. In areas where people live scattered and in poverty, it is not widely known that eye disorders can be treated. Ignorance, superstition and the use of local medicine men is widespread.
Outreach is therefore very important to find people who need help. A large number of simple eye disorders are treated at outreach camps, while patients who need surgery are transported to the eye clinic for treatment.
What is our motivation?
Needless blindness can be eradicated! The personal stories of those who receive treatment, are a strong driving force to continue working for eye health in Africa. Hearing about a mother who sees her child for the first time, or children and young people who can resume schooling after caring for blind family members, and adults who can go back to work are all stories that give motivation to continue. In 2016, a football team from Kenya participated in the Norway Cup. All the participants had their sight restored through Right to Sight’s work. Seeing the joy and eagerness of the children while playing with other children, made a strong impression.