Gift A Vision, Help Them See

Despite remarkable worldwide progress in the field of diagnostics, curative and preventive health, people in rural areas do not have access to quality healthcare facilities and live in isolation with their ignorance and myths intact.

While they struggle to survive with their limited means, health is the least of their priorities; until it hampers their ability to perform their daily tasks or earn. Good eyesight is one of the most important abilities, but it is commonly ignored.

It is unbelievable but true, that a large number of senior citizen and adults in rural areas suffering from blindness due to cataract believe that the gradual deterioration of vision is normal, age-related or a curse of God. Loss of sight makes the visually impaired person dependent on others, with social exclusion and low self-esteem; and if it is one of the earning members - leads to further poverty.

There is very little awareness that blindness due to cataracts is completely curable and reversible. And even if diagnosed, most of these villagers do not have the funds to afford simple cataract surgery. 

We realize how important good eyesight is and the impact vision can have on an individual’s life. For the last 10 years, we have been conducting cataract camps on a regular basis. Our volunteers spread the word in 150+ neighbouring villages and even go door-to-door to inform the villagers to take benefit of the facility.

• A Team of visiting Ophthalmologists conduct a detailed eye examination.
• Those with an only refractive error are provided with customized glasses at a later date.
• Those requiring cataract surgery are further evaluated with blood tests and fitness for operation.
• All patients declared fit are transported to the nearest eye hospital on the date of surgery.
• Cataract surgery with an intraocular lens implant is performed.
• Post-operative care and medications are provided.
• Regular follow-ups are done for 2 months to ensure compliance and care.
• Spectacles are provided if required.

The cataract surgeries are done in collaboration with Senior Ophthalmologists from Eye Hospitals like Jupiter Hospital, Bombay City Eye Institute Charitable Trust, Gowalia Tank Sankheshwar Parshwanath Medical Centre, Laxmi Eye Hospital, etc. Apart from cataract surgeries, 1500+ patients received spectacles for Refractive error and 3500+ patients have been checked for other eye ailments in the last 5 years.

Starting with the villages closest to the Centre, the word spread among villagers & patients started pouring in. Today a large number of villagers avail of the cataract surgery facility and look forward to Doctor visits.

We have facilitated 2200+ completely free Cataract surgeries with a 100% success rate, thus restoring vision and providing a better quality of life to villagers from about 150 villages around Parli - in the interiors of Raigad District.

By sponsoring one Cataract surgery for just Rs. 5000, you provide :

• A pre-surgery detailed eye exam by well-qualified Ophthalmologist
• Diagnostic tests - including CBC, Hb, ESR, BSL, URINE (R&M), HIV, Hbs Ag, ECG, X-Ray
• Surgery with intraocular lens implantation
• Post-Operative Care and Medications
• To & Fro Transport
• Follow-ups for 2 months after surgery
• Post-operative Refractive glasses if required
• Restored dignity and an empowered individual

We have seen the difference restored vision makes to an individual and want thousands of others to experience the same. We aim to give them their most fundamental right: The right to live in good health and your support is critical in making that happen.