Humanitarian Cataract Surgery

Although curable with surgery, cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in the world, accounting for more than one half of all blindness. Globally, more than 18 million people remain completely blind from cataracts. Being a “household name” in the field of cataract surgery, Dr. Chang has used his international prominence to highlight and advance several important humanitarian cataract efforts. He is on the medical advisory board of both Project Vision (China) and the Himalayan Cataract Project (Asia), and also consults for the Aravind Eye Hospital System in India. He has traveled to many developing countries to perform and teach cataract surgery to local ophthalmologists. He donates his consulting fees and textbook royalties to these organizations and is establishing two Chang Cataract Training Centers, through the ASCRS Foundation and Project Vision in China.

2020 Venkataswamy Memorial Award

AAO Humanitarian Service Award

Dr. Chang is the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award, from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

This is awarded annually to 2 American ophthalmologists who have demonstrated a career-long pattern of humanitarian service. The award recognizes Dr. Chang for his longstanding efforts to address global cataract blindness by expanding surgical training in underserved countries, including Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Haiti, and China.

ASCRS Foundation

Dr. Chang co-chairs the ASCRS Foundation, which is dedicated to fighting cataract blindness internationally, as well in the United States. https://ascrs.org/foundation/who-we-are/board-of-directors

About ASCRS Foundation https://ascrs.org/foundation/

For patients interested in supporting Dr. Chang’s humanitarian work in mitigating global cataract blindness, please consider a tax-deductible donation to the ASCRS Foundation https://ascrs.org/foundation/donate

ASCRS Foundation Chang Humanitarian Award

This annual award, which is endowed by Dr. David F.Chang and his wife, Victoria, was created to celebrate and highlight outstanding humanitarian work in the area of cataract blindness. The award is given annually to an individual or organization working in U.S. or international charitable eye care, which is focused on or includes cataract blindness. The award consists of a $50,000 grant which goes to a humanitarian organization fighting global blindness, which is designated by the honoree.

More information about the Chang Humanitarian Award:

Chang Humanitarian Award established by the ASCRS Foundation

Dr. Chang’s 2009 Blinkhorst Lecture

Dr Chang interviews Sen Rand Paul on trip to Guatemala

The Binkhorst Medal and Lecture is considered the highest international honor for a cataract surgeon. Dr. Chang’s 2009 presentation addressed the challenge of reducing the global burden of blindness due to cataract.

• Binkhorst Lecture 2009
  • David F. Chang MD selected to give 2009 Binkhorst Lecture
  • EyeWorld preview of 2009 Binkhorst Lecture
  • Ophthalmology Times / Modern Medicine coverage
  • Ocular Surgery News coverage
  • Santa Clara County Medical Association Bulletin covers Binkhorst Award (see page 28)
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology ONE review of 2009 Binkhorst Lecture
  • Video of Aravind Manual SICS on EyeTube
  • San Francisco to host annual American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting in April (Ophthalmology Times, March 2009)
• Project Vision
  • Project Vision Overview
  • Dr. Chang on International Advisory Board
  • Website
• Himalayan Cataract Project
  • Dr. Chang on Medical Advisory Board
  • Cure Blindness Website
  • Binkhorst Lecture announcement
  • MSNBC article on Dr Ruit (Dr Chang quoted) (2010)

• Dr Chang’s Papers and Articles
  • Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
    • Project vision: a new and sustainable model for eliminating cataract blindness in China (Editorial 2009)
• J Cataract Refract Surg
  • Incidence of post-cataract endophthalmitis at Aravind Eye Hospitals
• Am J Ophthalmol
  • Clinical Trial of Phacoemulsification vs Manual Sutureless Small Incision Extracapsular Cataract Surgery in Nepal
  • Editorial
• British Journal of Ophthalmology
  • Tackling the greatest challenge in cataract surgery (Editorial Chang DF, 2005)
• Ophthalmology Times
  • Study compares M-SICS, phaco in charity camp population (Ophthalmology Times, May 2009)
• Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today
  • A 5-Minute, $15 Cure for Blindness (October 2005)
  • Unsung Heroes(October 2005)