There are nearly 5,400,000 blind people and many more sight-impaired among the total 1.2 billion people in China. In the north-west region, demand for modern equipment and trained professionals are extremely high. There are more eye diseases in the north-west region due to the stronger ultraviolet ray, sandy wind and smokes. Thus, WEO decided to start its eye centres in north-west region. With the collaboration of local mobile facility, effective eye treatment and training can be conducted.

WEO Xian Eye Centre, opened on September 8th, 2003, is the first charitable eye centre built in the north-west region specialized in all areas of eye care including treatment, education, research and prevention. WEO plans to setup more eye centres in major cities in the region and also wants to establish “Light Truck” mobile team and facility to go to rural areas for poor people, who even can not afford the bus tickets to see a doctor in the city. WEO Xian Eye Centre has a team of “WEO Restore Vision Volunteers” and a van named “WEO Restore Vision Ambulance” .