One quarter of the world’s blind live in India. Eleven million Indians are totally blind and forty-five million are visually handicapped. Mission for Vision was formed in 1999 to address this issue and readjust the figures. The organization acts as an umbrella to institutions with a common aim – that being the eradication of curable blindness in India and other developing countries. These institutions currently include Sankara Eye Hospital in Coimbatore, Sankara Eye Hospital in Pammal, Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai  and Tulsi Eye Hospital in Nasik.

Eighty three percent of the visually impaired in India live in the rural areas in conditions of abject poverty which are only made worse by blindness. Each year millions more go blind from eye problems that could have been avoided and successfully treated had ophthalmology facilities been available. Much of Mission for Vision’s funding is thus directed specifically towards the hospitals’ rural outreach programmes. The outreach programmes targets rural     populations of 10,000 to 15,000 to identify patients with curable blindness. Social workers visit villages and tribal hamlets for door-to-door surveys and identify and register patients for examination at weekly eye camps held at convenient centers. On the camp day, a team comprising eye specialists, lab technicians and social workers conduct screenings. Tests to determine diabetes and hypertension are also carried out and free medicines are provided. Those who qualify for surgical treatment are transported to the base hospital at pre-determined times.
When admitted to the base hospital, patients undergo diagnostic tests followed by surgery and meticulous post-operative assessments prior to discharge. The entire range of services comprising transportation to and from the hospital for the patient and one helper, the operation itself, supply of spectacles and medicines, board and in-patient lodging is provided free of cost. Following surgery and discharge, every patient is placed under periodic follow-up lasting in some cases for up to two years. The procedure covers advice on hygiene, eye care and stringent medical checks which monitor the success of the operation and ensure that normal vision has been restored. This is a particular strength of the Mission for Vision programme and a vital one in that it confronts any problems which may otherwise impair the newly restored vision and ensures that the patient is given the correct strength of glasses if required.

The Savitri Waney Wing

As well as developing new partnerships, Mission for Vision will also focus on the improvement and expansion of existing partners. The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust is funding the construction of a 100 bedded wing at Sankara Eye Hospital in Coimbatore which will relieve the current overcrowding on the wards and enable the hospital to reach out to more people.

The future

Last year Mission for Vision was involved with over 40,000 surgeries. It aims to increase that figure to 90,000 surgeries over five years by expanding the existing partner institutions so that they are working at full capacity as well as possibly taking on new partners working in underserved regions in the north of the country.

01.Eye-Care

02.Pain & Palliative care

03.Health provision

04.Community development

SHAKU SAWANT The Courage to See a New World SHAKU is now able to see again with both eyes and is satisfied with her decision to have both surgeries. When The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust conducted a follow-up visit, Shaku was happy and tending to her responsibilities at home with greater ease. Click here to read Shaku's full story.