Erika Sutter

Erika Sutter (born 1925) is a Swiss ophthalmologist known for her significant contributions to the field of ophthalmology, particularly in the treatment and prevention of trachoma, a contagious bacterial infection of the eye.

Early Life and Education

Erika Sutter was born in 1925 in Switzerland. She completed her medical studies at the University of Basel, specializing in ophthalmology.

Career

In 1957, Sutter moved to South Africa to work at the Swiss Mission Hospital in Elim, Limpopo. Here, she focused on the treatment and prevention of trachoma, a disease that was prevalent in the region.

Sutter developed a community-based approach to trachoma control, which involved training local healthcare workers to diagnose and treat the disease. This approach was later adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and has been instrumental in reducing the prevalence of trachoma worldwide.

In 1970, Sutter returned to Switzerland and continued her work in ophthalmology at the University of Geneva. She retired in 1990 but remains active in the field, particularly in advocating for the prevention of blindness in developing countries.

Legacy

Erika Sutter's work has had a significant impact on the field of ophthalmology. Her community-based approach to trachoma control has been widely adopted and has contributed to a significant reduction in the prevalence of the disease. In recognition of her contributions, Sutter has received numerous awards and honors, including the Prince Mahidol Award in 1998.

See Also

• Trachoma
• Ophthalmology
• World Health Organization
• University of Basel
• University of Geneva