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.

Mission for Vision Poster

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.

Mission for Vision has been going from strength to strength. From 2004 - 2005 the number of free surgeries carried out was a staggering 87,173. It aims to increase this number to over 100,000 free surgeries in the next two years by expanding the existing partner institutions as well as possibly taking on new partners throughout the country.

Number of free surgeries from 1999 - 2005 at Mission for Vision Eye Hospitals, India

01.Mission for vision

02.Pain & Palliative care

03.Sirasu development project

04.Savitri rural development project