honorable mention
Kiran Ridley france
title
Avoidable Blindness in Developing Countries
Today, there is an estimated 180 million people worldwide who are visually disabled.
The loss of sight causes enormous human suffering for the affected individuals and their families and represents a huge public health, social and economic problem for developing countries, where 9 out of 10 of the world's blind live. According to World Health Organisation estimates, about 80% of global blindness is avoidable: either it results from the conditions that could have been prevented or controlled if the available knowledge and interventions had been timely applied or it can be successfully treated with the sight restored.
Put simply, millions of people around the world are needlessly blind because they can’t get simple surgery or treatment that could save their sight. And too often, if you live in a poor community, going blind means losing your chance to go to school, earn a living or live independently.
Treating blinding diseases like river blindness and trachoma can be achieved for as little as 16p, where as cataracts can be treated with simple surgery for as little as £24.
He has been a finalist in the Association of Photographers ‘Document’ Awards, Highly Commended in the Ian Parry Award and finalist for 'Young Photographer of the Year' in the 'Picture Editor’s Awards'.
He has also been nominated and finalist in two major international awards - The Observer Hodge Award, for his photographic essay on a hospital closure and The Tom Webster Award for his reportage on Hong Kong. Other awards include BBC Music Magazine Photo of the Year, CBAT award, as well as his work in the the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's prospectus picking up the pretigous UK Silver Heiss Award.
His editorial work has been published in The Sunday Times Magazine, The Times and The Financial Times, Le Figaro, The Washington Post, The Independent on Saturday Magazine, The Independent, The Guardian Magazine, Observer and Guardian newspapers, and in the Economist Magazine.
back to gallery
entry description
Avoidable Blindness in Developing CountriesToday, there is an estimated 180 million people worldwide who are visually disabled.
The loss of sight causes enormous human suffering for the affected individuals and their families and represents a huge public health, social and economic problem for developing countries, where 9 out of 10 of the world's blind live. According to World Health Organisation estimates, about 80% of global blindness is avoidable: either it results from the conditions that could have been prevented or controlled if the available knowledge and interventions had been timely applied or it can be successfully treated with the sight restored.
Put simply, millions of people around the world are needlessly blind because they can’t get simple surgery or treatment that could save their sight. And too often, if you live in a poor community, going blind means losing your chance to go to school, earn a living or live independently.
Treating blinding diseases like river blindness and trachoma can be achieved for as little as 16p, where as cataracts can be treated with simple surgery for as little as £24.
about the photographer
Kiran Ridley is an award winning editorial and advertising photographer working out of the UK & Paris.He has been a finalist in the Association of Photographers ‘Document’ Awards, Highly Commended in the Ian Parry Award and finalist for 'Young Photographer of the Year' in the 'Picture Editor’s Awards'.
He has also been nominated and finalist in two major international awards - The Observer Hodge Award, for his photographic essay on a hospital closure and The Tom Webster Award for his reportage on Hong Kong. Other awards include BBC Music Magazine Photo of the Year, CBAT award, as well as his work in the the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's prospectus picking up the pretigous UK Silver Heiss Award.
His editorial work has been published in The Sunday Times Magazine, The Times and The Financial Times, Le Figaro, The Washington Post, The Independent on Saturday Magazine, The Independent, The Guardian Magazine, Observer and Guardian newspapers, and in the Economist Magazine.
back to gallery