The Bausch + Lomb Early Vision Institute and Lions Clubs International Foundation are partnering on the Pediatric Cataract Initiative to identify, fund and promote innovative methods of overcoming this issue for the long-term benefit of children, their families and their communities.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of babies around the world are born with a cataract in one or both eyes. This condition is known as pediatric cataract, and can lead to severe vision loss – or even blindness. But not only is pediatric cataract treatable, it’s often preventable.
In the first year, our focus is the People’s Republic of China, where at least 40,000 children are estimated to suffer from pediatric cataract. The Initiative is also funding basic research initiatives aimed to better understanding the causes of pediatric cataract and/or its treatment.
Bausch + Lomb has awarded LCIF US$350,000 in the pilot year to launch this partnership program.
