Key Takeaways

• A study recently published in BMJ Open evaluated the first implementation cycle of a comprehensive 3-year cataract outreach program in Sierra Leone
• The study found that the program has improved patients’ vision-related quality of life
• The research also highlighted the operational challenges and adaptations necessary to deliver cataract services in resource-constrained settings

In 2025, the Choithram International Foundation in association and Noor Dubai Foundation, a member of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, partnered with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health to launch a comprehensive 3-year cataract outreach program. A study recently published in BMJ Open found that the program has improved patients’ vision-related quality of life and highlighted the operational challenges and adaptations necessary to deliver cataract services in resource-constrained settings.¹

The study evaluated the program’s first implementation cycle (February–August 2025), during which 9,117 individuals were screened and 1,433 cataract surgeries were performed. Among 271 patients with complete follow-up assessments, vision-related quality of life was found to have improved by an average of 17 points, particularly in the areas of mental health and near- and distance-vision activities. Challenges highlighted by the study included workforce limitations, transportation barriers, incomplete clinical records, and low postoperative follow-up attendance, with only 19% of patients returning at 1 month.

The program’s third cycle is scheduled to run from January to April 2027. Level 1 screenings reportedly began in September, with a focus on rural provinces where access to eye care remains limited.

In a news release, Drs. Gabriel Osei-Anokye and Ving Fai Chan of Queen’s University Belfast stated, “The progress we see in this second year is the careful reflection, rigorous evaluation, and a shared commitment to learning from the first cycle. Our research shows that when cataract programmes use evidence to continually improve how services are delivered, the benefits extend far beyond better vision. People regain mobility, confidence, independence, and the ability to participate more fully in their families and communities. Sierra Leone’s experience shows how strong leadership, continuous learning, and cross-sector collaboration can deliver high-quality outcomes even in challenging settings. Restoring sight is therefore more than a medical intervention; it is about enabling people to regain independence, opportunity, and their place in community life.”

1. Osei-Anokye G, Rabiu M, Harrison-Williams L, Mattia JG, Chan VF. What are the implementation lessons from a high-volume cataract screening and surgical programme? A mixed-methods implementation evaluation in Sierra Leone. BMJ Open. 2026;16(10):e126880. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2026-126880