Results

The OPC’s Support Network

(estimates based on budget analyses and over 30 years of field experience)

One of the OPC’s strengths is its capability to multiply its financial means. Thanks to our recognised expertise, if an individual donated for example €25 to the charity, our financial partners would then supplement this amount to around twelve times its original sum, meaning we would then have €300 to use in our programmes ! At the other end of the scale, €60,000 would for example allow the OPC to train an ophthalmologist. Once trained they would, amongst other things, be able to carry out 1,000 cataract operations each year, in other words more than 40,000 operations during their career ! The cost of training relating to a cataract operation is only €1.50, i.e. 6% of the total amount ! This approach is much more cost-effective than sending ophthalmologists over to the developing countries to operate, and it also has local benefits within these countries as they gain skills, knowledge and empowerment as a result.

In the same way, and as summarised in the diagram below, when an individual donates €100 towards the fight against onchocerciasis, the OPC will be able to make this up to €1,200, meaning 6,000 African villagers will be able to have their sight preserved.

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The OPC acts effectively. Here are the estimated results from 2011 :

These results, reported by our teams working on the ground, demonstrate the great importance and effectiveness of each team’s commitment in the fight against blindness. Furthermore, we would like to wholeheartedly thank all of our donors, thanks to whom we have been able to protect all of these children and parents from blindness. Thanks to the OPC, millions of people have not lost their sight, or have recovered their sight, and can now continue their social, professional and personal lives whilst remaining independent and autonomous.

In French-speaking Africa

River Blindness (onchocerciasis)

We are well on the way to eliminating this disease after 30 years of fighting it. More than 3.8 million people have been protected in 7,582 villages in 4 African countries (Congo, Guinea, Mali and Senegal) and thus will not go blind. Local populations are returning to the richest and most fertile land.

Cataracts

9,800 patients operated on have recovered their sight.

Trichiasis (complication of trachoma) and glaucoma

Roughly 1,000 patients operated on (in our ocular health centres in 7 countries) will not lose their sight.

2013 : The OPC first in line for the fight against trachoma
Implementation of a Programme for the fight against trachoma in Chad and CAR.
The OPC has been working to combat blindness in Chad and CAR, the two countries most affected by trachoma (in certain regions, between 20-50% of children are affected). This year the OPC is taking part in the implementation of a National Programme for the Fight against Trachoma.
The programme involves :
 Training of specialist ophthalmology nurses
 Systematic distribution of an antibiotic treatment in areas where more than 20% of children suffer from trachoma, thanks to the community network of health workers developed by the OPC.
910,000 people in the worst affected areas are concerned (more than 11 million by 2016).
 Raising villagers’ awareness of good hygiene practices via the same community network.
 Operating on patients suffering from trichiasis. Already more than 600 patients were operated on in both Chad and CAR in 2011 thanks to the OPC.
The programme will be gradually extended to all affected regions.

Purulent neo-natal conjunctivitis

 Prevention and care of all new-borns threatened by neonatal conjunctivitis in 4 African countries, through a primary ocular health care approach
 The support of 13 ocular care centres : 100,000 ophthalmic consultations carried out
 1,000 traditional midwives trained and supplied with antibiotic ointment
 16 specialist nurses trained to administer emergency treatment to affected babies.

Training

 Community network of over 13,800 village community volunteers in the most isolated villages for mass screening to diagnose visual impairment early on
 393 nurses and 80 general practitioners trained in primary ocular health care
 2 bursaries awarded to those specialising in ophthalmology
 29 TSO and ISO specialist nurses in ophthalmology in 3 countries (Chad, Niger and Union of the Comoros), 17 of them have returned to their post after obtaining their degree
 The creation of a course of study for TSO (specialist ophthalmic technician) in the Central African Republic.

In France until 2011

Low vision

The management network for people suffering from visual impairment in the Île-de-France region has been developed (1,750,000 people affected in France).

Diabetic retinopathy

17 screening centres equipped thanks to the OPC in partnership with AVH and OPHDIAT (a telemedicine network for the screening of diabetic retinopathy).