Our Mission Preventable blindness is a global tragedy. An estimated 80 percent of the world's cases of blindness are due to treatable or preventable disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma, infection, and the ocular complications of diabetes. Treatment for these conditions is available readily in the United States, but remains beyond the reach of many people living in the developing world. This is where IRIS, thanks to the generosity of its donors, comes into play. How IRIS Fulfills Its Mission Equipment Donating high-tech operating room microscopes, diagnostic equipment, and lasers to clinics to enable the safe, efficient treatment of cataracts, glaucoma, ocular complications of diabetes, and other serious eye diseases. Purchasing medical supplies for operating rooms and clinics. Providing medications to treat non-surgical ocular diseases. Education Delivering books, DVDs, and journals to educate native medical workers in the latest techniques and procedures. Visiting sites and teaching local providers about new technology and surgical methods. Holding conferences and seminars to alert medical professionals to the ocular needs of people living in the developing world. Providing funding for educational advancement of native health-care workers. Encouragement Encouraging the public to support government and private endeavors to prevent blindness globally. Encouraging eye-care providers and other medical professionals to participate in medical missions. Encouraging native health-care providers by working side-by-side as colleagues.