What Eye Care Foundation does

Eye Care Foundation is a Dutch non-profit foundation founded in 1984 and headquartered in the Netherlands. It delivers primary and surgical eye care to underserved populations in low- and middle-income countries, with active program operations in Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Vietnam, Tanzania, Ecuador, and Suriname. The foundation works through an embedded model with local partners and national health systems rather than as a standalone vertical delivery operator, and its work has been recognized with the Royal Order of Cambodia and a Knight Commander designation.

The foundation's core services are mass eye screenings, cataract and other ophthalmic surgeries, distribution of prescription and reading glasses, training of local ophthalmologists, optometrists, and nurses, and construction or renovation of eye clinics and district-level eye care centers. The foundation reports it has screened over 7 million patients, performed more than 800,000 surgeries, and distributed over 50,000 pairs of glasses across its history; the 2021-2024 reporting period alone delivered 1.145 million screenings, over 23,200 surgeries, and more than 26,300 pairs of glasses. Operational infrastructure comprises 20 clinics and 24 district-level centers, supported by 73 ophthalmologists, 18 optometrists, 113 nurses, and over 3,900 trained healthcare workers in partner systems.

The foundation's revenue model is donation-based, funded entirely by approximately 30,000 individual private donors and supplemented by corporate partnerships and grants. It employs approximately 38 staff and holds ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) status in the Netherlands, which enables tax-deductible giving. Strategic direction in 2026 is defined by a leadership transition (Jeanette Dijkstra appointed CEO in April 2026, Anita Verkerk as Chair from January 2026), the entry into retail cause-marketing via the EyeCare Groep partnership, co-investment in capital assets such as the Simara Eye Hospital with Ride4Sight, and active exploration of impact-investment and microfinance-linked capital at the IAPB conference.

Name

Eye Care Foundation

Legal name

Stichting Eye Care Foundation

Website

https://eyecarefoundation.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Eye Care Foundation is a Dutch non-profit founded in 1984 delivering eye screenings, cataract surgeries, glasses, and training to underserved populations across seven countries in Asia, Africa, and South America, funded by donations and local healthcare partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Eye Care Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Offices of Optometrists (62132)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA)

Keywords

• Eye care services
• Cataract surgery
• Vision screening
• Ophthalmic training
• Blindness prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Private Donations: Individual donations from private donors, including one-time and monthly contributions. The foundation mentions having approximately 30,000 private donors from the Netherlands.
2. Recurring Donations: Recurring donations with 5-year minimum commitment, offering tax benefits for donors as an ANBI-registered organization.
3. Legacy/Bequests: Bequests and legacy gifts left in wills, including named funds from €50,000.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Business partners supporting through donations, sponsorships, and CSR initiatives. Companies like EyeCare Groep donate for every product sold.
5. Foundation Grants: Support from foundations and philanthropic funds, such as Stichting De Lange Brug funding traditional healer training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Eye Care Foundation provides charitable eye care services in low- and middle-income countries, delivering cataract surgeries, eye screenings, prescription eyeglasses, and mobile eye camps to remote populations. It trains local ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, and traditional healers, builds and equips eye clinics and district eye centres, and is funded entirely by private donations, corporate partners, and foundation grants.

Product overview

Eye Care Foundation is a charitable organization, not a technology company. It does not offer a software product or platform. Instead, it provides a portfolio of eye care programs and services focused on preventing avoidable blindness in developing countries. The core services include eye screenings, cataract surgeries, eyeglasses provision, training of local medical personnel, and establishment of eye clinic infrastructure. Fundraising programs include donor trips, athletic events (Dam tot Damloop, Ride4Sight), personal fundraising campaigns, and corporate partnerships. The organization operates through local partner hospitals and eye clinics in Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Vietnam, Tanzania, Ecuador, and Suriname.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eye Screenings and Examinations On-location and mobile eye screenings and comprehensive eye examinations delivered to vulnerable populations in remote communities through partner hospitals and mobile eye camps. For 2021-2024, more than 1,145,000 adults and children were screened.
• Cataract Surgery Program Life-changing cataract surgeries performed by trained ophthalmologists, typically a 15-minute procedure delivered through partner hospitals at approximately €42 per operation. Over 800,000 surgeries performed historically, with 23,200+ in 2021-2024.
• Eyeglasses and Vision Correction Provision of prescription glasses and eyeglasses to children and adults to restore vision, funded through donations at €6/month per pair. Over 50,000 pairs historically and 26,300+ in 2021-2024.
• Mobile Eye Camps Outreach eye camps that bring eye care services (screenings, cataract surgeries, glasses provision) to remote and isolated communities lacking medical infrastructure. The model originated in early 1980s Nepal and is now used across Asia and Africa.
• Medical Training and Education Training and education programs for local ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, healthcare workers, teachers, and volunteers to build sustainable local eye care capacity. 73 ophthalmologists, 18 optometrists, 113 ophthalmic nurses, and 3,900+ healthcare workers trained.
• Eye Clinic Infrastructure Development Construction, renovation, and equipping of eye clinics and district eye centres in underserved regions to deliver lasting eye care infrastructure. 20 eye clinics opened/renovated, 24 district eye centres opened, and 2,238 eye clinics equipped with modern ophthalmic equipment.
• Traditional Healers Training Program (Tanzania) Training program for traditional healers in Tanzania's Morogoro region (Mlimba and Malinyi) to recognize common eye conditions and refer patients to professional eye care. 90 traditional healers trained, supported by Stichting De Lange Brug.

Quantifiable outcome

• €42 donation enables one cataract surgery restoring sight
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Ride4Sight FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 June 2026Ride4Sight Foundation organizes annual Paul's Classic cycling event in memory of Paul Boontje. The cycling events raise funds for eye care projects in Nepal, specifically for building the Simara Eye Hospital. 170 cyclists raised €78,371 at the first edition.
• EyeCare GroepcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026EyeCare Groep is a quality label for independent opticians with approximately 170 stores across the Netherlands. For every Iconics pair of glasses sold, EyeCare Groep donates eye care to someone in need through Eye Care Foundation's project countries.
• Tramedico B.V.flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMain sponsor of Eye Care Foundation's Dam tot Dam Run team. Tramedico provides support for runners and event organization.
• Beter ZienminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dam tot Dam Run, supporting Eye Care Foundation's running team.
• Laser VisionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dam tot Dam Run, supporting Eye Care Foundation's running team.
• OculoominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dam tot Dam Run, supporting Eye Care Foundation's running team.
• OphtecminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dam tot Dam Run, supporting Eye Care Foundation's running team.
• OptaviusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dam tot Dam Run, supporting Eye Care Foundation's running team.
• SJJ SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dam tot Dam Run, supporting Eye Care Foundation's running team.
• Synga Medical TechnologiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dam tot Dam Run, supporting Eye Care Foundation's running team.
• Thea PharmaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dam tot Dam Run, supporting Eye Care Foundation's running team.
• Tracey TechnologiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dam tot Dam Run, supporting Eye Care Foundation's running team.
• Vitamine op ReceptminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Dam tot Dam Run, supporting Eye Care Foundation's running team.
• Quina CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hospital in Putumayo province, Ecuador, serving remote Amazon communities including Ecuadorian and Colombian Putumayo and Cuyabeno district. Eye Care Foundation supports through advice, materials, and medical equipment.
• International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal alliance of eye health organizations. Eye Care Foundation attends IAPB conferences to exchange knowledge, learn about financing models, and connect with organizations like GoodVision, Peek Vision, Fred Hollows Foundation, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
• Fred Hollows FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational eye health organization. Met at IAPB conference to explore potential collaboration.
• Standard CharteredminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate business partner supporting Eye Care Foundation through CSR initiatives.
• EyeCare Group (EyeCare.nl)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading quality label for independent opticians in premium segment with approximately 170 optical and hearing care stores across the Netherlands.
• Ophthalmic Medical Centre ZaandamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing warm welcome and post-race services for Dam tot Dam Run participants.
• Het Oogziekenhuis RotterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEye hospital in Rotterdam, corporate partner of Eye Care Foundation.
• DORC (Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner of Eye Care Foundation.
• VisionSpringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on affordable glasses in developing countries, corporate partner.
• Lions Land van Cuijk OvermazeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLions club supporting Eye Care Foundation.
• LensdealminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOptical industry partner supporting Eye Care Foundation.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Orbis International: International non-profit focused on eye care in developing countries, operating the Flying Eye Hospital and partner hospital training programs. Comparable as a global eye-care NGO with similar mission of building sustainable local eye care capacity through training and infrastructure support.
• Sightsavers: International NGO headquartered in the UK focused on preventing avoidable blindness and supporting people with visual impairments in low- and middle-income countries. Directly comparable as a peer eye-care-focused NGO working across similar geographies (Africa, Asia) with similar intervention models including cataract surgery and training.
• Fred Hollows Foundation: Australia-based international NGO focused on ending avoidable blindness, performing cataract surgeries and training local eye health workers in developing countries. Named peer met at IAPB conferences; very similar operating model focused on sustainable local eye care capacity building.
• Light for the World: European-based (Austria) international NGO focused on inclusive eye health and disability in developing countries. Comparable as a mid-sized European eye-care charity working in similar geographies with similar intervention model.
• CBM (Christoffel-Blindenmission): International Christian development organization focused on disability inclusion including eye health and blindness prevention in low-income countries. Comparable as an international eye-care NGO with similar partner-driven model operating across Africa and Asia.
• VisionSpring: Social enterprise providing affordable eyeglasses to low-income communities in developing countries. Comparable as a named corporate partner focusing on the glasses-distribution side of the same vision-care value chain that Eye Care Foundation addresses through its screening and surgery programs.
• Helen Keller International: US-based international NGO focused on preventing blindness and reducing malnutrition, with significant eye health programming in Africa and Asia. Comparable as a peer eye-health NGO with longer operating history and similar cataract surgery plus vitamin A / vision screening programs.

Broad incumbents

• Lions Clubs International Foundation: Global service organization with longstanding SightFirst program funding eye care infrastructure and cataract surgeries worldwide. Comparable as a much larger incumbent funder of eye-care interventions; ECF partner Lions Land van Cuijk Overmaze demonstrates the network's role in supporting ECF.

Regional players

• BRAC: Bangladesh-based international development organization operating large-scale eye care programs across South Asia and Africa. Comparable as a large NGO delivering community-level eye health services including cataract surgery in similar low-income geographies.

Emerging players

• Peek Vision: UK-based social enterprise providing digital eye health technology (smartphone-based vision screening) for use in low-resource settings. Comparable as a peer named at IAPB conferences; complementary technology-enabled approach to eye care delivery in ECF's geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eye-care-foundation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Eye Care Foundation