Operation Eyesight Universal is a 4-star charity. It has above average disclosure with an A- results reporting grade. It holds reserves within Ci’s reasonable range. For every dollar donated to Operation Eyesight Universal, 45 cents are available to go to the cause. This is outside Ci's reasonable range.

A Charity Intelligence 2025 Top 100 Rated Charity.

A Charity Intelligence 2025 Top Impact Charity.

Founded in 1963, Operation Eyesight Universal works to prevent blindness and restore sight. It builds community eye care systems through hospital partnerships, local vision centres and trained community health workers. These systems provide screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. The charity reports operating in ten countries as of the end of 2025: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Zambia, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Canada. 

The charity reports that 1.1 billion people live with vision loss today, is projected to rise to 1.8 billion by 2050 without greater investment in eye health. It notes 90% of vision loss is avoidable and can often be treated through eye exams, eyeglasses or cataract surgery. The charity estimates vision loss costs the global economy US$411 billion a year in lost productivity. 

The charity runs five core programs: Disease Control, Community Eye Health, Hospital Strengthening, Integrated Eye Health, and Research and Advocacy. In the fiscal year ending December 2025, Ci estimates that Operation Eyesight Universal spent $5.8m on its programs. The charity does not disclose how this spending is allocated across its five programs. 

Disease Control addresses the leading causes of avoidable vision loss, including uncorrected refractive error, cataract, trachoma, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Partners provide screening, prevention, treatment and follow-up care for these conditions. In 2025, the charity screened 1,790,349 people for eye conditions (76% in India), performed 305,325 eye surgeries (72% in India) and distributed 335,953 pairs of eyeglasses (63% in India). 

Community Eye Health trains local community health workers to conduct door-to-door eye health screenings and health education. Workers refer patients to a vision centre or hospital for treatment. In 2025, the charity completed 204 community eye health projects. It also conducted 1,345,029 door-to-door screenings, of which Kenya accounted for 43%. Its school eye health program screened 229,362 students, distributed 8,800 pairs of eyeglasses and supported 276 student eye surgeries. 

Hospital Strengthening invests in hospital equipment, infrastructure and training for healthcare professionals. It also establishes community-level vision centres, which provide eye exams and eyeglasses and refer patients to a base hospital for surgery or other treatment. In 2025, the charity established 13 new vision centres. 

Integrated Eye Health links eye care with other areas of primary health care, such as maternal and child health, in the charity's countries of operation. The charity states this approach is intended to address root causes of avoidable vision loss. In 2025, Operation Eyesight Universal drilled/rehabilitated 88 water boreholes.  

Research and Advocacy uses community-based data collected through the charity's programs to contribute to health research and inform national eye health policies.

Operation Eyesight Universal’s audited financial statements use activity-based costing, which is a best practice. Ci used the charity’s T3010 filing with the CRA to report international donations.

In 2025, Operation Eyesight Universal earned $6.6m in revenue. Canadian donations accounted for $5.5m (84% of total revenue). As well, the charity received $0.9m from international sources (14% of total revenue).

Administrative costs are 11% of revenues (less investment income). Fundraising costs are 44% of donations. Total overhead is 55%. This is outside Ci's reasonable range of 5% to 35%. For every dollar donated to Operation Eyesight Universal, 45 cents are available for programs.

In 2025, Operation Eyesight Universal spent $5.8m on programs, or 89% of total revenue. It recorded a $2.4m deficit, drawing on its reserve funds. The charity spent $10k on capital projects.

Operation Eyesight Universal has $3.4m in reserve funds (cash and investments). The reserves can cover 59%, or roughly seven months of program costs.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Operation Eyesight Universal for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. Updated on July 27, 2026 by Nick Reszetnik.