Final evaluation : program for prevention of blindness and public eye health in Bulgaria

The evaluation covers the period 1991-3/94. The project succeeded in establishing a Center for Sight, which provides out-patient ophthalmologic care and surgical services of the highest quality in a well-equipped facility. The Center has provided excellent training to ophthalmologists and residents in ophthalmology through the provision of 6 visiting professors annually since the program's inception 3 years ago. A survey of the prevalence of blindness and of visual impairment in Sofia District and the city of Sofia has been conducted according to the most exacting scientific standards by the Center with the able assistance of personnel from Johns Hopkins University. The data will be extremely useful in planning for unmet needs for eye care in the area. Personnel for the Center for Sight have established Sight for All, the Bulgarian Eye Foundation. The private organization has great potential for preventing blindness in Bulgaria. An important objective of this program -- to establish a National Committee for the Prevention of Blindness -- has not been achieved due to the determined and irresponsible opposition of one academic Chair of Ophthalmology, who is a powerful political figure in Sofia. The Center for Sight will undoubtedly continue to introduce new initiatives to further eye care and disease prevention in Bulgaria if it can obtain even minimal additional resources for the next several years. (Author abstract)