Feature – Fiji Eye Project 2026

Fiji Eye Project

April, 2026

2026 GALLERY BELOW

Fiji is a globally renowned hospitality haven, a sight and site for sore eyes, but as is commonplace, paradise is a paradox for its people. Fiji is also known as having one of the highest ratios of cataracts.

According to The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists; “The Pacific region faces alarmingly high rates of blindness and vision impairment, primarily due to preventable and treatable conditions such as cataracts, uncorrected refractive errors and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Up to 69 per cent of people with diabetes in some Pacific countries are presenting with DR, which is more than double the global rate. […] However, the region struggles with limited resources, workforce, facilities […] Economic barriers, geographical challenges and low levels of awareness […]“

What are cataracts and what causes them?

Cataracts develop when proteins in the lens are damaged and clump together. This reduces the amount of light that can pass through the lens to the retina, which is what causes the loss of sight.

Unfortunately less than half of affected people have access to the sight-restoring surgery they need.

The Fiji Eye Project [FEP] was formed because its founders recognized the urgency of this need, and acted decisively. FEP launched its first largescale mission in 2006 and has been accomplishing miracles since.

“Excluding 2018 due to a hospital fire, FEP successfully conducted a total of 1,400 cataract operations between 2006 and 2019, averaging over 7.5 days of surgeries each year. These operations were carried out voluntarily by Dr. Chandra AM, a renowned ophthalmologist and Head of Vitreoretinal Surgery at Westmead Hospital, with assistance from Dr. Jeremy Smith, a specialist in paediatric ophthalmology and vitreoretinal disease. A dedicated team of skilled nurses and anaesthetists also play a crucial role in these missions.”

Read about Dr Jay Chandra here. Dr Chandra is from India, but what is significant and substantially different about this nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping disadvantaged communities in Fiji, is that it is run and supported mainly by Indo-Fijian Australians, who also volunteer and dedicate their time and resources to FEP.

Article will be updated Monday April 20th with interviews, speeches, footage, photos and music from event.

By SN.

PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT

Images by Sandhya Dusk Devi Nand [unless it’s of her, then by Lee Ohmega]

The evening’s entertainment included live music by G2 aka the George Knight [Fiji’s OG pop star!] and George Jang, former members of much loved and iconic Sydney based 00s band KABANI.

Formed in 2002 and comprised of acclaimed stars of Fiji’s music industry, former Ulysses band mates Henry Foon, George Knight and John Shankaran [drummer, guitarist], George Jang [vocalist, guitarist], and Ray Fugawai [bassist].

[More on KABANI later on in the ROUTE 679 series… catch their groove below.]

The slideshow: GEORGE KNIGHT guest starring at the Golden Dragon Jubilee in March 2023, and GEORGE KNIGHT and GEORGE JANG performing at a Fiji Friends in Sydney concert November 2024.

All images by Sandhya Dusk Devi Nand [unless it’s of her, then by Lee Ohmega]

Fiji Eye Project

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