By Kathleen Sherwin, President & CEO, Orbis International, and Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director, Orbis India
We rarely think about our eyesight until it begins to fade. Yet for billions of people worldwide, clear vision is still out of reach. The World Health Organization estimates that 2.2 billion people live with vision problems, and at least 1 billion of those cases could have been prevented or treated. India carries a heavy share of this burden. The country’s National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment aims to reduce blindness to 0.25 percent, but reaching that goal requires more than medical solutions—it requires access.
The Gaps in Care
India’s eye care system faces challenges that mirror its wider health system. Most specialists are concentrated in cities, while nearly 70 percent of the population lives in rural areas. This leaves villages underserved. Many eye conditions, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, are diagnosed late because of limited screening and awareness. Even when diagnosed, many patients drop out before completing treatment, allowing preventable blindness to continue.
Global Partnerships Making a Difference
International collaboration is helping bridge these gaps. Support from global partners brings advanced tools, training, and systems that can be adapted to India’s needs. The key is not just importing technology but making it affordable, practical, and part of everyday care.
Orbis India plays a central role in this effort. By working with hospitals and training centers, it ensures that new technologies are not short‑term fixes but lasting improvements in how care is delivered.
Technology Bringing Care Closer
Technology is changing how eye care reaches people. Teleophthalmology and AI‑based screening allow doctors to detect problems early and guide treatment without forcing patients to travel long distances. Cybersight’s “Stay Connected” program, for example, lets Indian doctors consult global experts in real time, improving decisions and outcomes.
Training has also moved forward. Digital platforms and simulation tools give practitioners hands‑on experience with complex procedures in safe, controlled settings. The “We Train” initiative has already provided more than 436,000 trainings worldwide, including nearly 200,000 in India, creating a stronger network of skilled professionals across the country.
Real Impact on Lives
These changes are not abstract—they are improving lives. Technology reduces travel costs and out‑of‑pocket expenses, two of the biggest reasons people avoid treatment. It also helps patients stay on track with follow‑ups, preventing vision loss. In India, more than 19 million children have been screened, and 1.6 million treated. Each case represents not just restored sight but improved quality of life, better learning opportunities, and greater productivity.
Moving Forward
The challenge now is to take these tools beyond big hospitals and embed them in community care. Global innovation must continue to align with India’s local needs, ensuring that breakthroughs reach those who need them most.
The story of eye care in India is no longer just about medicine—it is about global support meeting local action. Together, they are proving that sight can be protected, restored, and sustained, offering millions the chance to see a brighter future.