Research grants help fight childhood blindness

Rochester, NY-The Pediatric Cataract Initiative (PCI) has awarded two research grants of  $50,000 each, for projects by ORBIS in South Africa and Zambia and The International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH) in Bangladesh, for their work to reduce the prevalence of childhood blindness.

PCI is a collaboration between Bausch + Lomb and Lions Clubs International Foundation.

PCI grants are awarded to qualified organizations that have proposed projects expected to strengthen and expand treatment for preventable childhood blindness, particularly pediatric cataract. The PCI Global Advisory Council reviewed 14 small research grant applications from around the world before ultimately choosing the projects of ORBIS and ICEH.

ORBIS will assess the pediatric cataract surgical service in Southern Africa, informing and enhancing existing activities to strengthen pediatric eye care units at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in South Africa and Kitwe Central Hospital in Zambia.

ICEH will lead a 5-year community-based assessment of Bangladeshi children, evaluating outcomes of their cataract eye surgeries. The evaluation locations include Child Sight Foundation pediatric ophthalmology units.

For additional information about PCI, visit www.PediatricCataract.org.

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