Alcon Celebrates One Year Of Advancing Eye Care Through Its Phaco Development Program In Africa

• The program, developed in partnership with Orbis International, aims to unlock Africa’s potential for enhanced vision by tackling the critical issue of cataract-related vision loss

Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today commemorated the first anniversary of its African Phaco Development Program (PD). This milestone reflects the program’s significant achievements across South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia, with plans for further regional expansion. Alcon remains committed to the principle of “Skill Africa, by Africa, for Africa,” as it continues to enhance healthcare capacity and improve access to eye care across the continent.

According to the World Health Organization¹, over 110 million people in Africa suffer from vision impairment, with cataracts responsible for 6.7 million cases. Key contributing factors include limited access to quality healthcare, a shortage of trained eye care professionals, and various socioeconomic challenges. As a result, a significant backlog of cataract surgeries persists, placing millions at risk of preventable blindness.

Jan Landman, Country Manager and Surgical Head for Alcon, said, “It’s saddening to know that one in every six blind people live in Africa, along with millions of others who are grappling with some degree of visual impairment. Alcon’s commitment to addressing such challenges is central to the mission of the African PD Program. We aim to change this narrative by improving healthcare capacity in Africa through action-oriented collaborations and training. 

“True to our mission, over the past year, our African PD Program has trained 61 eye care professionals. Our goal is to train over 450 by 2029 and serve patients across the region. With plans for expansion into other countries, and through purposeful partnerships with Orbis International, we are working toward a sustainable impact on eye care across the continent,” he added.

“This program is a perfect example of what happens when people come together. It highlights the true Impact of action-oriented partnerships. At Orbis International, we recognize that no single organization can tackle the urgent challenges facing eye care across Africa. It is only through collaboration—leveraging expertise, resources, and a shared vision—that we can effectively address the needs of the millions suffering from preventable blindness on the continent”, said Dr. Hunter Cherwek, Vice President, Clinical Services and Technologies at Orbis International.

Since its inception in 2008, Alcon’s Phaco Development Program has facilitated training of over 6,900 surgeons in core and advanced phacoemulsification techniques, enabling the estimated performance of more than 11 million sight-restoring procedures across China, India, Russia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and South Africa. Through these efforts, Alcon is committed to improving access to quality eye care, strengthening local healthcare systems, and making a lasting difference in the fight against blindness.