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Around the world, more than 12 million people have irreparable damage to the cornea (OR need a cornea transplant), the eye’s clear outer layer.1 Corneal blindness is one of the top five causes of blindness globally, accounting for approximately 3.5% of all cases.2 Despite remarkable advances in eye care that make corneal transplants highly effective—often with success rates of 80–90% or more in well-resourced settings for less acute diseases—access to high-quality donor tissue and adequately equipped medical facilities remains a significant challenge in many low-resource areas.3 Alarmingly, only 1 in 70 people worldwide who need a corneal transplant will receive one.4 Furthermore, in LMICs where infectious keratitis is more prevalent, up to half of patients who receive a corneal transplant will not receive functional vision back.5,6.
This is where KeraLink International (KLI) steps in. As a nonprofit organization, KLI is dedicated to reducing avoidable blindness by building local capacity and creating sustainable solutions for corneal care. From a tech standpoint, KeraLink is working on projects poised to be game changers in the industry, shaping how corneal blindness is prevented, detected, and treated now and in the future.
KLI works to prevent, detect, and treat corneal disease and blindness by providing innovative and affordable solutions and technologies to underserved populations in lower-and middle-income communities. KLI unites clinicians, technology innovators, social entrepreneurs, and donors in a coordinated and collaborative effort to address this treatable disease, envisioning a world where all can see a brighter future.
KeraLink International (KLI) traces its roots back more than six decades, when it began as part of what would become the largest network of eye banks in the world. From pioneering cutting-edge technologies to forging strategic alliances with global thought leaders, KLI has evolved from the world’s largest eye banking network into an innovative force for corneal care, dedicated to ensuring that every individual—regardless of location—has the opportunity to receive sight-saving treatment.
Corneal blindness, while often overshadowed by other global health challenges, has a profound impact on individuals, families, and communities. When sight is compromised, opportunities for education and employment may be lost, leading to isolation and stigma. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vision impairment—including corneal blindness—costs the global economy an estimated $411 billion annually in lost productivity.7
A single corneal transplant can fully restore a person’s sight, independence, and dignity. Yet in many parts of the world, there is a severe shortage of donated corneas, trained professionals, and adequately equipped medical facilities. This shortage is particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries.
One of the key principles that sets KLI apart is its emphasis on capacity building rather than offering temporary solutions. By partnering with local hospitals, technicians, and healthcare organizations, the organization provides the knowledge and skills necessary to establish world-class eye care practices.
KLI’s approach includes:
As part of its recent growth efforts, KLI has appointed Jeff Soulliere as its Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives. With ten years of nonprofit and optical experience, Soulliere has made a name for himself in the industry, winning the IAPB Health Hero Award in Innovation in 2020. His expertise and reputation as a disruptor will be instrumental in driving forward KLI’s mission. It is critical additions like this, along with cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking that make KLI the ideal IAPB partner to help build out IAPB’s corneal blindness arm.
As an active member of the global eye health community, KLI is proud to collaborate with the IAPB and other partners committed to ending avoidable blindness. KLI will continue serving IAPB’s expansive network of optical-focused partners, championing innovative and affordable solutions to prevent, detect, and treat corneal disease and blindness in underserved populations. across low- and middle-income communities.
KLI will play an instrumental role in multiple IAPB initiatives in 2025 including:
Together, let’s create a world where every person has access to the sight-saving care they deserve.
Join us as we work toward a future free from the limitations of corneal blindness. To learn more about KLI projects, partners, and how to get involved visit www.KeraLink.org and follow them on LinkedIn and Facebook.
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