For the Future of Ophthalmology
Associated with
Moments Worth Seeing,
Lives Worth Living
You can help us create a world where no one has to miss the moments that matter.
with your precious help
ESASO helps Ophthalmology evolve and treatments improve
Eye diseases won't scare us anymore!
For 17 years, we have been dedicated to transforming ophthalmology with a steadfast commitment to patient health.
Our mission is to elevate the global standard of care by advancing treatments, combating diseases, and driving progress through education and research.
Current projects
MAKING EDUCATION MORE ACCESSIBLE
IMPROVING THE FORMATIVE EXPERIENCE at ESASO
THE SEEWORLD PROJECT:
Intensive special courses for doctors of disvantaged countries
the challenge that humanity faces
We take vision for granted, but without it, we won’t be able to learn, walk, read, participate in school, and work.
2,2 Billion
people globally have a near or distance vision impairment.
In at least 1 billion of these, vision impairment could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed.
(Data from the World Health Organisation)
The main reasons to blindness are
Cataract
The main reason for blindness (51% of the cases), it affects around 20 million people globally.
65% of over 65
Glaucoma
Damaging the optical nerve sometime until complete blindness, it affects 111 million people.
4% of over 40
Macular Degeneration
It will affect 288 million people by 2040, ruining their sight and ability to read or drive.
30% of over 75
We strive to advance RESEARCH into innovative techniques and technologies while enhancing medical EDUCATION to empower doctors to deliver the highest standard of care.
SAVING SIGHTS MEANS SAVING LIVES
How will your donations be used
Improve the experience at our Training Centres
Upgrading our training microscopes
Upgrading our microscopes is essential to ensure doctors can train using devices similar to those they rely on in their daily practice. This allows them to seamlessly apply the techniques learned during the theoretical portion of the courses.
Optimisation of spaces
Our new laboratory in Lugano, located within the city’s second-largest hospital, features 15 training stations equipped with cutting-edge technology.
We are planning further optimizations, including new tables and chairs, to maximize the space and add more stations. This will enable us to accommodate additional participants and extend our training opportunities to more doctors.
Stream lessons worldwide
Make lessons available to doctors from third world countries
We aim to record the theoretical portions of our courses and make them available—along with the high-quality insights, expert advice, and practical experiences shared by our outstanding faculty—to ophthalmologists in remote regions who are unable to attend in person.
To achieve this, we plan to purchase and install a recording and streaming system in our Theory Room in Lugano.
Medical Research and Development
Support the development and publication of ESASO Plus studies
ESASO Plus is ther division of ESASO that supports researchers in developing their ideas and turining them into publications.
All the steps and documentation needed to conclude the study and publish it have a cost in time and money, but this is the only way to improve techniques and technology and treat diseases and pathologies better year after year.
Make high quality education more accessible
We want to lower the Tuition Fees to all our courses
ESASO aims to really make Education available to anyone, for the sake of the people worldwide. Organising courses in different continents, hosting live webinars, maintaining an online community where eye care professionals of all corsers of the world can network and discuss is just the beginning.
To make formation even more accessible, we seek help sustaining all the costs related to our Educational activities, which will allow us to lower access fees and receive more doctors.
SeeWorld Project
Train Ophthalmologists from disadvantaged countries
We aim to organize missions to bring ophthalmologists from underprivileged regions—such as economically challenged African nations or war-affected territories like Ukraine and Syria—to Europe for advanced training.
These missions are designed to equip them with the latest techniques and technologies, along with specialized skills, empowering them to address the unique challenges faced by their communities.
esaso seeworld project
Globally, just the 17% of people with vision impairment or blindness due to cataract have received access to quality surgery.
Thanks to our Donors, Dr. Mariamo S. A. Mbofana from Mozambique could train for a week in Lugano and is now performing life-changing surgeries in her community.
The ESASO SeeWorld Project is a charitable initiative by ESASO, offering ophthalmologists from underprivileged countries—affected by war, economic hardship, or political instability—the opportunity to travel to Switzerland and attend specialized courses. This program helps them enhance their knowledge, refine their skills, and learn to address specific local challenges in ophthalmology.
Sponsor a SeeWorld Project mission and save a community in a disadvantaged country.
Your support to make an impact
100 CHF helps us improve the bring our Education all around the world with streaming technologies
1’000 CHF help us organize a new SeeWorld Project mission
10’000 CHF help us upgrade our laboratories and improve the skills of ophthalmologists and their service to the patient
ESASO is registered as a non-profit Foundation. Your donation is tax deducible, contact your Bank or Credit Institute to learn more.
Why partnering with us (For Corporations)
By supporting our programs, your company can be part of a global mission to enhance eye care education and save sight. Showcase your commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Benefits for corporate partners: brand visibility, positive PR, and making a global impact.