Duke doc donates time to bring sight to the blind in Africa, central America

For Duke Dr. Lloyd Williams, curing blindness in parts of central America and west Africa is about helping others and relieving suffering.

Two years ago, Williams made history in the west African country of Sierra Leone. He performed the first cornea transplant ever in that country.

“I wanted to do something to help the world," he said.

"One thing I'd like to say to people is, if you have the opportunity, if you’re willing to give up something to really make a huge difference in people’s lives ... the cost is well worth it."

The Duke ophthalmologist spends eight weeks out of the year in parts of west Africa and central America teaching and performing procedures and surgeries that give people their sight back. While he's there, he doesn't collect a paycheck. Instead, the return is something even more valuable.

Williams says taking the bandages off each patient is a powerful moment every time.

"All of those were people who were completely blind in both eyes. Once we did the surgery, about 99% could see afterwards," he said.

The surgeries can mean not only a restoration of sight, but also economic opportunity for families who live in serious poverty.

"When one person in the family goes blind, it can plunge the whole family into poverty, because not only can that person not work anymore, there has to be at least one other person who is caring for them," Williams said.

Helping adults, by extension, helps whole families. He's been present when parents see their child for the first time.

"Restoring the one adult to vision usually also changes the child’s life as well," Williams said.

During his last trip to South Sudan, Williams and his team performed 1,000 surgeries in a week. His next trip is to El Salvador in September to continue teaching. Williams has been making these trips to deliver a medical miracle for more than 20 years.