EYE SURGEON AND BLINDNESS PREVENTION PIONEER

Age: 56 Lives: Norwood

SINCE STARTING HIS medical career in Kenya, Dr James Muecke AM has been passionate about fighting blindness. In 2000 he co-founded Vision Myanmar – which has developed and operated eye health initiatives in that country – at the SA Institute of Ophthalmology. James also co-founded Sight For All (SFA), a social impact organisation aiming to create a world where everyone can see. With 80 per cent of blindness avoidable, and almost 90 per cent in poor countries, he treats it as a human rights issue. James creates low-cost programs to fight blindness through research, education and infrastructure, including the comprehensive training of colleagues in SFA partner countries. His leadership has improved eye health and alleviated poverty and disadvantage.