The End of Blindness

The fact that I've watched this delightful film twice by myself and viewed it two times again with friends would let you know that I loved it! Ethiopia has one of the highest rates of cataract blindness in the world - and 80% of the cases are treatable with a $50 surgery! Dr. Samuel Bora's family is so poor that he has to clean the classroom on weekends in order to attend school, but he has a strong desire to study, and his studies are sponsored by a Finnish couple. He goes on to excel at school and university and become an ophthalmologist. Dr. Bora decides to dedicate himself to practicing in his country and region and serving the poor.

A non-profit, The Tropical Health Alliance Foundation (THAF) hears of Dr. Bora and an alliance is formed. He is set up with all of the equipment, staff, and organization necessary, and is now serving as the only ophthalmologist in a region of Ethiopia with a population of 3 million! A unique aspect of his practice is that a van has been set up to transport all of the operating equipment necessary and Dr. Samuel travels to rural regions, where a complete operating room is set up! He has perfected a form of cataract surgery which only takes 5 minutes, in which each patient is fitted with a lens which is appropriate for them. Villagers travel by foot and arrive the day before-always many, many more than can be seen. According to the founding ophthalmologist at THAF, Dr. James Guzek, MD, the results achieved are excellent and equal to what is achieved in the USA. There are days when Dr. Samuel performs up to 60 surgeries in a day, and one year in which he performed 4,000 operations.

One gets to know Dr. Bora: his gentleness, intelligence and humanity shine brightly. We get to meet his patients, intimately, see the operations, and share in their bubbling joy, when the day after the operation, their bandage is removed. The science of the various eye conditions and the logistics of his practice are presented very well, and are an exciting part of the documentary, as are the people of Ethiopia.

I found that the music was so in sync with what's happening on the screen that you almost are unaware of it, yet when you do notice it, it's great. In fact, the Director has done a beautiful job in presenting and blending the many aspects of this important and moving story (which are at times intense) very clearly and without any artifice. Everything unfolds simply and quietly, as if you were there yourself!

The End of Blindness is the doc you never thought you needed, but after you watch it you realize it's exactly what you needed in today's cynical world. To see one man's journey to help thousands of people in the most inhospitable of conditions makes you realize there IS good in this world, and there ARE good people.

You will also be touched by the elderly couple highlighted in this film. If they were in America, they'd have their own show on TLC. You have such empathy and emotion for their struggle, but, more importantly, you can feel the love and care they have for one another, and how the doctor's surgery (and I won't spoil the lengths they have to go to get it, literally) changed their lives.

One shocking thing - Makeshift operating rooms with open windows to the jungle, wiped down, cleaned and sanitized...and not a single infection or problem in such seemingly unsanitary conditions. AMAZING!

This is definitely a feel-good doc you can watch by yourself, with a date, or with the family. The most important thing you'll take away is how just giving a little of yourself to help others can change THEIR entire worlds.

This film is the story of how one man, Dr Samuel Bora, was inspired by the vision of another, Dr. Larry Thomas, to make a difference in the lives of literally thousands of blind or almost blind Ethiopians. Dr. Thomas saw a need, the overwhelming incidence of cataracts in the country of Ethiopia, and he knew his love for people demanded he do something. His vision of giving the gift of sight was put into action, and vividly portrayed in this film. You cannot help but feel the dedication of these two men to that vision as portrayed in this film. It is an amazing story told in a way that you will be changed.