Trachoma is a painful eye disease that has plagued humanity for thousands of years, destroying lives and trapping people in poverty. But it can be treated, cured and prevented from recurring.

Since 2018, when Sightsavers CEO Caroline Harper delivered her TED talk, our Accelerate programme has protected 14 million people from trachoma. We’ve also helped Ghana, The Gambia and Malawi to eliminate the disease.

Yet there are still at least 39 countries that count trachoma as a public health problem, meaning more than 103 million people are still at risk.

The impact of eliminating trachoma goes beyond individual people. Banishing the disease ensures children can go to school and fulfil their potential. It reduces the burden of care on women, who are almost twice as likely to go blind from the disease than men. And it ensures adults can earn an income to support their families, helping to improve the economy.

All of this takes us closer to achieving universal health coverage, fulfilling the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and creating a more equal world.

Watch the video to see Caroline Harper’s TED talk and learn more about her ambitious plan to eliminate trachoma.