Restoring vision in rural India: A journey of hope

Reaching the remote village of Kachikata, in India’s northeastern Assam state, is no small task. The journey from Jorhat, the nearest city, begins by jeep on rough roads leading down to the Brahmaputra River. From there, travellers climb onto a tiny ferry, big enough only for a handful of passengers, that takes them to Majuli… Continue reading Restoring vision in rural India: A journey of hope

This little one has a big future ahead

In India, there are about 3.5 million premature births annually, and more than 150,000 are liable to develop Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Without early diagnosis and treatment, infants like little Aarsh, pictured here with his mother Shabana, could otherwise have faced a life with irreversible blindness. Learn more.

Look at those big, beautiful eyes! This is baby Aarsh, from a small village just outside Moradabad city, in Uttar Pradesh, India. At seven months old, he weighs about seven pounds – what many babies weigh at birth. Aarsh’s mother, Shabana, was only seven months pregnant when she delivered him prematurely. Little Aarsh had been… Continue reading This little one has a big future ahead

Surgery boosts a teen’s vision and confidence

After living with a strabismus — commonly known as a squint - since birth, 15-year-old Mahek, from the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, India, faced both worsening eyesight and stigma from others in her community. Thanks to an eye health screening camp at her school, she received life-changing surgery. “The treatment has boosted my confidence,” she says. Read Mahek’s full story.

Every child deserves to be healthy, loved and accepted. After Mahek was born with strabismus – commonly known as a squint – she faced not only the prospect of worsening eyesight throughout her life, but also stigma from others in her community. “I felt different from other kids my age and wished I had normal… Continue reading Surgery boosts a teen’s vision and confidence

A father’s livelihood and hope restored

The ancient art of ‘tea plucking”’ requires the picker to identify and pluck only the freshest, newest shoots on the tea plant. It requires dexterity, speed and, most importantly, excellent eyesight.  So, imagine trying to pick tea efficiently when your eyes are clouded over with cataracts.  This was the situation for 36-year-old Milan, who lives… Continue reading A father’s livelihood and hope restored