Gifting Sight to Disadvantaged Elders with HelpAge India’s ‘Ishwar social Society ’ Campaign

magine a health problem which has causes that are 90% treatable, the solution is widely available and cost effective, and yet millions suffer and struggle on daily basis. Avoidable blindness/visual impairment is a significant public health problem in India. This is particularly serious in the age group of 50 plus, where 1 in 4 are visually impaired (varying degree of severity). This age group has 5X risk compared to adult population in general. As per the ‘National Blindness & Visual Impairment Survey’, more than 10 million are affected by blindness or severe vision impairment, and three times more have varying degrees of impairment.

But what is particularly striking is that both cataract (clouding of eye lens) and refraction error, the two important causes responsible for 90% of avoidable cases, are easily addressable. The other reasons are due to more complex conditions relating to cornea issues, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and others.