Over one billion people worldwide suffer from visual impairment, including 43 million who are blind. The risk of blindness is 5 to 10 times higher in developing countries than in industrialized nations, and 90% of blind people live in a developing country (sources).
Due to population growth and aging, blindness and visual impairment statistics are expected to triple and double respectively by 2050. With over 40 years of experience across 26 countries, OPC is working to prevent this scenario, because solutions exist to protect every individual’s right to sight.
We focus in particular on eye health in francophone Africa, a region too often overlooked by international development actors, where we promote and facilitate access to comprehensive, sustainable, quality care.
Our vision
See well to live better
Our mission
Improve the lives of people in francophone Africa by fighting preventable low vision and blindness
Our work
OPC works with governments, civil society organizations, and local communities to sustainably strengthen eye care systems and defend the right to sight for the most vulnerable populations.
- We fight blinding infectious diseases, including trachoma and onchocerciasis, as well as other neglected tropical diseases:
- By running screening campaigns, mass drug distribution, and surgical treatment programs
- By raising awareness to improve hygiene practices
- By conducting epidemiological surveys
- We develop comprehensive, universal eye care to address refractive errors and eye conditions by mobilizing and building local capacity:
- Training ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, technicians, and health workers
- Providing equipment and optical devices (e.g. glasses)
- Establishing or strengthening hospital services and optical centers
- Running screening and treatment campaigns
Our values
OPC is guided by six core values at the heart of everything we do. They ensure that our mission to fight blindness and empower francophone Africans is carried out with integrity and impact.
Humanism: The most vulnerable communities deserve quality healthcare, delivered by well-trained professionals and available at an affordable cost.
Accountability: OPC is structured to ensure all donations are used effectively to help as many people as possible. Funds support both short- and long-term programs.
Professionalism: Consistently delivering the best while upholding the highest standards. OPC takes pride in its strong track record of program impact and quality monitoring.
Lasting impact: OPC ensures that all field operations integrate and promote sustainable, quality eye care.
Solidarity: OPC remains firmly committed to the common good, especially for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable.
Transparency: At OPC, we are an “open book” when it comes to explaining where every euro is invested. We owe this clarity to our donors and partners to maintain their trust and support.