THE BACKGROUND 

Cataract is responsible for 66.2% of the prevalence (main cause) of total blindness in the country, and it can be treated or cured by simple surgery. The National Control Program for Blindness and Visual Impairments (NCPB&VI) has progressed greatly in the field of eye care, which is available at the district or sub-divisional hospital level. But the lack of awareness of eye health and the increasing backlog of cataract surgeries are difficult hurdles to overcome easily. 

In metropolitan areas, cataract surgeries for those who can afford them typically range from INR 30,000 to INR 60,000, depending on the complexity of the cases and the use of local or imported lenses. However, for marginalized and rural communities, the available options include government schemes and initiatives led by local eye hospitals that offer free cataract surgeries. Despite government efforts to address the backlog of cataract surgeries and reduce blindness, the challenge persists due to a gap between demand and supply for these services. Recognizing this issue, Operation Eyesight, in partnership with its partner eye hospitals, is committed to supporting government initiatives by offering these surgeries at a greatly reduced cost of INR 3,200. 

This highlights the pressing need to raise just INR 3,200 per surgery to bestow the invaluable Gift of Sight.

The money raised will be used to provide cataract surgeries for vulnerable seniors (usually 65+ years) in and around Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and Warangal districts.

Just INR 3200 from you will GIVE SIGHT to 1 elderly person. 

WHAT IS CATARACT?

As we age, the lenses in our eyes become cloudy and cause poor vision and blindness if not treated. This is very common among those who are 65+ years old.  

CASE STUDY OF A CATARACT SURGERY

ABOUT ME

My name is ARNAV BANSAL. I am 16 years old and in Grade 11 at Chirec Intl School (IB), Hyderabad, Telangana.

Nearly 15 million people in India are blind or visually impaired but 80% of them suffer from avoidable blindness.

I cannot imagine what it is to go blind. It moved me that over 11 million people in India are impacted by cataracts which can be easily treated. But access to quality eye care and the cost is a deterrent. The fact that a contribution of just INR 3200 can make a difference in the life of someone & give them back their sight made me realize that I must do something to help. It not only restores vision for them but also improves the quality of life for needy people.

I strongly believe that we can help those who are needy and in the process, transform their lives. Please support my campaign and let us together bring light into the lives of these people. Keep funding this till the last date.

I would like to raise much more than my goal and help more seniors see again. The Gift of Sight is the Gift of Life.

LOCATION

LIST OF BENEFICIARY LOCATIONS

THE HOSPITALS WHERE THE SURGERIES WOULD BE DONE

There are 5 hospitals where these surgeries would be done. 

ABOUT OPERATION EYESIGHT UNIVERSAL

Operation Eyesight India is a non-governmental organization with its head office in Hyderabad. It is part of Operation Eyesight Universal based in Canada, an international development organization working since 1963 to strengthen healthcare delivery systems in countries in Africa and South Asia. We partner with governments, NGOs, and private charitable healthcare providers to deliver quality eye care services, empower the target communities, and eliminate avoidable blindness on a sustainable basis. All these are being done with the help of donations from people like you, and support from service clubs, foundations, and corporations. 

Declaring villages avoidable blindness-free is the pinnacle of Operation Eyesight’s work. We train local women to become community health workers. They go door-to-door in each village, screening people for eye health problems and referring patients to an eye clinic or hospital for treatment. They ensure that every member of their community is free from blindness that can be avoided. Operation Eyesight is committed to aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. 

TAX BENEFITS

By funding this campaign, you are eligible for tax breaks as Operations Eyesight is a registered NGO & you can avail of benefits under section 80G of the IT Act. Foreign funding is not accepted.

FEEDBACK FORMAT THAT YOU GET

To ensure that there is complete transparency I shall get a report from the hospital (this takes between 1 to 3 months usually after the funds are raised and transferred to them) telling me who benefitted from the funding. The details will then be posted on the UPDATES section of my campaign and will be in a format like the one below. As soon as an update is posted, the platform will send an SMS and EMAIL alert to all the funders - i.e. to you. Click on the link on the email and you can read about which person has benefitted. That's transparent, right?

The below image is an example of the FEEDBACK FORMAT that we will share with all my funders.