Over 8 million people in India make up the largest population of blind individuals worldwide, with the majority residing in impoverished regions lacking even basic healthcare.

Shockingly, nearly half of these cases could have been avoided if prompt treatment had been provided. However, poverty is both a cause and consequence of blindness, and breaking free from its grip can prove exceedingly challenging, particularly in rural areas where the majority of the affected population resides.

Promoting Eye Health in India

The promotion of eye health in India is crucial, as preventing blindness not only enhances access to education, employment, and prosperity but also enables greater participation in civil, social, and political spheres. Our efforts focus on addressing various eye conditions, which impede eye health and hinder sight restoration.

Cataracts

The leading cause of blindness in India is cataract, a condition where the eye’s lens, responsible for producing clear and sharp images, becomes clouded.

The lens consists primarily of water and protein, and protein buildup over time can impede light passage, resulting in blurred or fuzzy vision. For many individuals, cataracts are a natural consequence of aging.

Cataracts typically develop in both eyes and may exhibit various symptoms, including gradual vision blurring, halos around lights, glare, and double vision. In severe cases, cataracts can cause complete loss of vision by obscuring the iris.

Although cataracts cannot be prevented, they are easily treatable through surgery, which can take as little as 20 minutes.

Causes of cataract

There is no single cause of cataract. A number of risk factors seem to have an impact. While some risks can be reduced through a change in lifestyle, others may not.

The solution

MEDICS works with local partners in communities to:

• Screen and refer people in need of cataract treatment
• Provide free cataract surgery, transport and follow-up care
• Train new eye-care personnel
• Improve service standards

Refractive Error

Refractive errors cover eye disorders caused by an irregularity in the eye’s shape.

Refractive errors are a category of eye disorders that arise from irregularities in the shape of the eye. This condition makes it challenging for the eye to focus accurately on images, leading to vision that is impaired and blurry. In India, it is the second most prevalent cause of blindness (following cataracts), and globally, 153 million individuals experience visual impairment caused by untreated refractive errors, as reported by the World Health Organization. Refractive errors can manifest as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism (an abnormal curvature of the cornea). Although refractive errors cannot be prevented, they can be managed once detected.

Solution

MEDICS collaborates with local partners within communities to:

• Identify and refer individuals who require surgery, contact lenses, or spectacles
• Offer complimentary surgery, contact lenses, or spectacles.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause damage to the optic nerve due to increased pressure within the eye.

This damage can result in vision loss or even blindness if left untreated. Glaucoma often has no symptoms in the early stages, which is why it’s essential to have regular eye exams to detect and treat it before it causes significant damage. There are various types of glaucoma, including open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, and congenital glaucoma, among others. Treatment options for glaucoma may include medications, surgery, or other procedures, depending on the severity and type of the condition.

Solution

MEDICS aids local partners in screening, referring, and treating individuals with childhood blindness, low vision, diabetic retinopathy, neglected tropical diseases, and other related conditions.