The Foundation has been working with Nepal's Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO) in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since 2004.

In collaboration with DPRK government authorities, we have sought to help clear the backlog of cataract blindness by holding intensive surgical workshops, and to also train and equip local eye doctors and nurses to carry out their sight saving work.

Find out more about the North Korea program.

In 2009, microsurgical Cataract Workshops were held at Hamhung Province Hospital and Pyongyang Ophthalmic Lions Eye Hospital. The Foundation worked together with the TIO and DPRK Ministry of Public Health to conduct the workshops, resulting in:

• 950 people screened
• 384 operations

The TIO team noted that 90% of the surgical patients were blind before their operation.

Over the two-week workshop period, the TIO team was able to monitor the work of TIO-trained doctors and nurses. Active participation by local doctors and ophthalmic nurses was an important component of the workshops. Each day, numerous DPRK doctors and nurses observed and took part in surgeries to extend their skills.

The Foundation funded 70% of the workshops' total expenses, with the balance being met by DPRK Ministry of Health and the TIO.