Driven by a wealth of community-based data, we are contributing to a global body of health research and informing national eye health policies.
In 2024, we launched two research initiatives to identify learnings and to share our findings. In partnership with the Pragyaan Sustainable Health Outcomes (PRASHO) Foundation we started an evaluation of the survey tools that we use and an assessment of our Avoidable Blindness-Free methodology and its effectiveness. We look forward to sharing our findings with you!
Award-winning presentations at VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – India conference
Our team contributed four presentations to the VISION 2020 The Right to Sight – India conference, which brought together organizations, hospitals, research institutes and others to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities across the eye health field. We submitted four presentations.
Senior Programme Manager Tapobrat Bhuyan and Project Officer Emmanuel Benia Tanti presented. Project Coordinator Aditya Sharma (left) brought home the award for Best Paper for Oral Presentation. Operation Eyesight was also honored with an award as a founding member for its contributions to VISION 2020.
Recognized nationally and globally
Our poster focusing on our donor-centric approach won second spot for Best Poster at The Right to Sight – India conference.
Above, left, our Head of Resource Mobilization Subhadip Bhattacharya (left) accepts the award. The poster was also selected to be featured at the 2024 IN SIGHT LIVE event organized by IAPB in Mexico City.
Did you know? We share our evidence-based learnings at international, national and state conferences and meetings to inform policies that support universal eye health care for all, particularly in remote and rural areas, which are underserved.
Learn more in our 2024 Annual Report.
Heeralal, 45, was a resident of a village near the Community Heath Centre (CHC) Niwas in Singrauli district. Passionate about health care, he joined the government as a multipurpose health worker (MPW) to serve people in remote and underserved areas.
In 2010, Heeralal became a para medical ophthalmic assistant (PMOA) after the Government of Madhya Pradesh called for MPWs to undergo PMOA training. He conducted regular eye exams at CHC Niwas but was disheartened by having only two or three patients a day. He took part in school screenings and cataract camps as awareness grew.
In 2022, Heeralal saw a turning point when we launched our Integrated People-Centred Eye Care project in Singrauli. CHCs were upgraded to vision centres, equipped with slit lamps and essential ophthalmic tools. PMOAs received refresher training for comprehensive eye examinations to build eye care capacity. A series of targeted interventions rolled out.
We trained community health officers, accredited social health activists (ASHAs) and community health volunteers (CHVs). Screening camps were organized with a mobile vision van to boost awareness. With support from ASHAs and CHVs, Heeralal soon saw 12 to 15 patients daily.
Today, Heeralal feels more inspired than ever by the transformation in rural healthcare. His motivation grows with every person whose sight is restored.
Did you know? Integrating eye care into universal health care is one of the five recommendations of the World Health Organization 2019 World Report on Vision.
Learn how you can help support integrated eye health efforts here.
In 2021, 24-year-old Vishnu decided to be a changemaker. Though she hailed from a small village in Rajasthan, where girls were not encouraged to work, Vishnu dreamed of having a career so she could support her family.
Vishnu pursued a community health volunteer (CHV) role at Fatehagar Vision Centre, established through the Promotion of Avoidable Blindness-Free Communities in Rajasthan project. We implemented the project with Alakh Nayan Mandir, through support from Standard Chartered Bank.
Once Vishnu began working, she quickly earned respect. Encouraged by her mentors, she took a two-year diploma in optometry form Aalakh Nayan Mandir. In 2024, she became a vision technician at the Fatehnagar Vision Centre. She now sees 10 patients a day.
“I want to grow, and I will never allow anyone to stop me from doing my job. I’m happy that girls in my community have started dreaming of having careers after seeing me. This job has given me a chance to change my life, and I want to motivate as many girls as possible to dream big and fight for their happiness,” Vishnu says.
She remains deeply grateful to Alakh Nayan Mandir and Operation Eyesight for the opportunity that changed her life as she now changes the lives of others.
Did you know? There is a global shortage of eye health care professionals. The World Health Organization recommends four ophthalmologists for every million people. While India has 11 per million, many are based in urban areas, leaving rural and remote areas underserved according to the IAPB Vision Atlas on India.
Learn more about how we help strengthen eye health care resources and grow human resources here.
Seventy-year-old Debeswari, from Golaghat District, Assam (above, left) once led an active life, walking to her nearby village to visit. When cataracts clouded her vision, her world shrank to the four walls of her home.
Once cheerful and independent, she became totally dependent on her family. Financial struggles and fear of surgery kept her from seeking treatment. She felt isolated, helpless and like a burden to her loved ones.
One day, an Operation Eyesight-trained community health volunteer named Daiboki visited Debeswari’s home. Together, they worked through her eyesight issues and her fears. Later, a team from our partner, Chandraprabha Eye Hospital, visited Debeswari and explained cataract surgery. Reassured, she accepted treatment and was transported to hospital that very day.
Now, Debeswari again walks independently to her nearby village – a freedom she hadn’t enjoyed in years. In having her vision restored, she has also recovered her dignity and joy.
Did you know?
Globally, 100 million people have cataracts, the leading cause of blindness. In India, cataract causes 66 per cent of blindness, 81 per cent of severe vision loss, 70 per cent of moderate vision loss and 24 per cent of mild vision loss according to the IAPB Vision Atlas. Cataract surgery is one of the most cost-effective treatments at approximately INR 4,712.
Learn how you can support cataract surgeries here.
With files from Senior Programme Manager Tapobrat Bhuyan.
Sriramappa, from Karnataka, was living with vision loss from cataracts. This left him dependent on his family for his daily needs, and he could no longer support them by grazing his cows and goats. When his wife passed away from an illness, he lived in darkness, mentally and physically, for three years.
His hope returned when a community health worker visited his home. Sriramappa took part in eye screening and was diagnosed with cataracts. Referred to our partner, Netradeep Eye Hospital (Globe Eye Foundation), Sririmappa accessed sight-restoring surgery free of charge.
Sriramappa expressed his gratitude to our donors. He is now enjoying life’s simple pleasures, especially roaming the forest with his animals, which helps to support his family.
Did you know?
There is a strong correlation between vision loss and age. People who are 50 years of age and older experience 73 per cent of all vision loss according to the IAPB Vision Atlas (2025). This puts people at risk of poverty, dependence and reduced health and well-being. At times, beliefs that vision loss is inevitable or that older people are not worthy of treatment can be barriers to overcome
Fortunately, 90 per cent of all vision loss is avoidable. This means it can be prevented or treated. Of all the treatments, cataract surgery is one of the most cost-effective solutions.
Learn more about how you can support sight-saving work here.
In the hills of Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi District, Robiroy, a young community health worker from Nongpoh Vision Centre, was assigned to serve 47 villages with a population of more than 16,000. Initially, he encountered skepticism from the community, as people feared medical interventions or had misconceptions. For many, fading vision was simply part of growing old.
To overcome these barriers, Robiroy put aside his medical charts and stepped into courtyards, looking to connect with people with warmth and empathy. Over cups of tea, he listened, shared stories, and spoke of restored sight as a path to dignity and independence.
Small victories soon blossomed. An elder who had received eye care could weave again. A farmer saw his fields clearly. Success stories spread across villages. Soon, Nongpoh Vision Centre saw patients surge, and 520 seniors received cataract surgeries. Families began prioritizing eye care across generations.
Currently, five of Robiroy’s 47 villages will soon be declared Avoidable Blindness-Free. He is not just restoring vision – he is sparking an eye care movement!
With files from Emmanuel Benia Tanti, Program Manager, India.
Four-year-old Priyansh’s story begins in March 2023 when his father, Raj, noticed a strange glow in his little boy’s eyes. It was an observation that would end up saving Priyansh’s life.
Raj and his wife, Ramya, acted quickly and took Priyansh to a local doctor who diagnosed him with a tumor. After more consultations, the family was advised to get treatment at the Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer at the L V Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, India.
The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer was made possible by the generous gift of an anonymous Canadian family, and through our longtime collaboration with the renowned eye hospital. Since 2015, the Institute has provided comprehensive treatment for the entire range of ophthalmic tumors in both adults and children. It is one of just a handful of centres in the world that specializes in this type of treatment.
Once he arrived at the Institute, Pryiansh was examined by an ophthalmologist who diagnosed him with fourth-grade retinoblastoma, a severe form of eye cancer that largely affects very young children.
With the level of danger the cancer presented, the doctor recommended that the affected eye be surgically removed. Although heartbroken by the diagnosis, the family knew surgery was their only hope to save their son. The operation was a success, and Priyansh’s outlook improved, but the journey was far from over. Following the surgery, Priyansh underwent grueling chemotherapy sessions to make sure there were no remaining cancer cells. The little boy was left weakened and frail, but kept his spirits up during treatment.
Due to the demands of Priyansh’s treatment, Raj, who works as a taxi driver, had to take time off work. In order to help free the family from the financial burden caused by Priyansh’s diagnosis, the L V Prasad Eye Institute was able to offer the treatment completely free of charge, allowing the family to focus on recovery.
Today, Priyansh is stable, and his parents are extremely grateful for the care he received.
To date, the Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer has identified and treated 18,515 patients for eye cancer.
With special thanks to the L V Prasad Eye Institute, who originally reported this story.
This August, we are once again lacing up our running shoes to participate in India’s second-largest marathon: the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025. More than just a race, this event is a powerful platform to raise awareness about avoidable vision loss and the need for quality eye care. With a goal to raise INR 15,51,000, we are dedicated to providing free eye screenings and spectacles to students, and eye surgeries for senior citizens in need.
In just a few short years, Operation Eyesight and our supporters have made a remarkable impact through the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon. This year marks our fourth consecutive year participating, with our team proudly donning Operation Eyesight jerseys to spread the message of eye health and raise funds for our Gift of Sight campaign. Last year, we raised INR 5,14,152, surpassing our goal of INR 5,00,000 for 2024 and exceeding our previous fundraising record.
Now in its 14th year, the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025 is more than just a sporting event – it’s a movement that brings thousands of individuals together for a common cause, creating positive change. As one of the 20+ NGOs supported through the event, we are proud to be part of this inspiring community that champions healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and women’s empowerment.
Discover more about our team members, meet the runners, and contribute to our fundraising mission by visiting the Operation Eyesight India team page.
Subhadip Bhattacharya, Head – Resource Mobilization at Operation Eyesight India, shares his experience:
“Every year, we challenge ourselves to go beyond limits – not just physically, but in our mission to eliminate avoidable vision loss. Running in this Marathon isn’t just about endurance; it’s about giving children the clear vision they need to learn and succeed. Every step we take represents a student who will now be able to see the blackboard clearly. Your support fuels this mission.”
To learn more or make a donation, visit our team page.
In 2024, through our partner hospitals, vision centres, and outreach camps, we accomplished these remarkable milestones:
✅ Free eye screenings for 7,500 students
✅ 362 free pairs of spectacles distributed
This year, our goal is to reach even more people!
The NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025, powered by IDFC First Bank and organized by Hyderabad Runners Society, has grown from 1,250 runners in 2011 to over 27,000 participants, making it India’s second-largest running event. The event aims to spread awareness about running, promote an active lifestyle and unite the city for a common cause.
Support Operation Eyesight at the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025. Your generous donations will provide free spectacles for students and fund eye surgeries for senior citizens in need. Join us in preventing blindness and restoring sight. Give the Gift of Sight now and help us make 2025 our most impactful year yet!
Register with an Operation Eyesight charity bib
For Venkatamma in Karnataka, one of the most astounding things about getting her vision back is being able to keep track of time again.
“You can’t imagine what it’s like to look at the clock in the morning,” the 65-year-old grandmother says with a laugh, “and to be able to tell the time!”
Seeing clearly was something Venkatamma had been missing for many years. Her vision, always poor, took a turn for the worse when she was in her fifties. By the time she was diagnosed with cataracts, she could barely make out shapes or colours.
Venkatamma’s cataracts were first diagnosed by a community health volunteer who was doing a door-to-door eye health survey in her village. Initially, she was resistant to the idea of getting surgery as she worried that the financial burden would be too great for her family. But after she learned that the operations would be performed free of charge, she decided to go ahead with surgery.
Venkatamma was thrilled with the transformation. “It was like being reborn,” she says. “I can look outside and see a couple hundred feet away, from leaves on the tree to birds’ nests.”
Now that she can see clearly, Venkatamma is happy that she can spend quality time with her grandchildren and help around the house once again.
Please donate today so that more grandmothers like Venkatamma can regain their independence!
Fifteen-year-old Pushpita lives with her family just outside of Shivrampur, Namkhana in West Bengal, India. She has big dreams and knows that a good education will help make them come true, so she gives everything she’s got to succeed in her Grade 9 studies.
But Pushpita’s ambitions are overshadowed with worry when she arrives at school. She’s been silently struggling as she notices more and more that her vision is not as clear as it once was. Reading the blackboard has become challenging, but she keeps her worries to herself, hoping her eyesight will miraculously improve on its own.
Can you imagine being in class and the other kids raise their hands, eager to answer the teacher’s questions, excited to demonstrate what they’ve learned, while you can’t even make out what’s been written on the blackboard? Pushpita is isolated by her condition…
Until one day she shows up to school to see an eye screening camp, organized by Sundarban Eye Hospital with support from Operation Eyesight. Though she hesitates at first, Pushpita participates once she sees her peers doing the same. It is nice to feel like part of the group again.
And things get even better once her eyes are checked – Pushpita simply needs glasses! Thrilled that she’s found a solution to her problem, she hurries to the Namkhana Vision Centre to which she’s been referred.
Pushpita’s eyes widen with astonishment and she brims with happiness as she dons her brand-new glasses – her world suddenly comes into focus.
Thanks to the support of our donors and partners, Pushpita is now the first to proudly raise her hand in class. Not only has her vision improved, but she also feels confident and included again.
But there are many more people like Pushpita waiting for their chance to see the world in all its beauty and experience its possibilities.
Please donate today so we can continue to transform lives through the Gift of Sight.
