Blindness in India is a leading cause of morbidity. The prevalence of visual impairment among elderly persons in India ranges from 22% to 35%. Cataract and uncorrected refractive errors are the most common causes of both visual impairment and blindness in India. 30% of blind population of India loses their eyesight before the age of 20 years.
The good news is it is largely preventable. Cataract, a leading cause of visual loss in the elderly, can be treated by a simple surgical procedure. However, lack of awareness and economic constraints prevent a vast majority of the population from receiving adequate care. If left untreated, an advanced cataract can lead to permanent visual loss. Glaucoma or problems related to high pressure inside the eye is another common cause of blindness.
To address this and myriad other eye related problems, Rajalakshmi Nethralaya, the charitable wing of The Eye Foundation was established in 2003 with the vision of providing quality eye care to the needy section of the society free of cost or at heavily subsidized cost.
Rajalakshmi Nethralaya located at 55/56, Subramaniam road, RS Puram, Coimbatore 641002 functions on all weekdays from 9 am to 1 pm. At RN, out patients are examined and patients requiring cataract/ other surgery are treated free of cost either through District Blindness Control Society or under “Sudharshanam” scheme started by The Eye Foundation at RS Puram. In addition, The Eye Foundation routinely conducts various community outreach programs both in urban and rural areas of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Nilgiris, Pollachi & Erode districts.
To enlarge/ increase the footprint of our community service activities of Rajalakshmi Nethralaya to the next level, Rotary Club of Coimbatore Texcity & The Eye Foundation plan to launch “Eye Serve” an eye care program for the needy. The “Eye Serve” will be launched on Saturday, 20th July, 11 am at Rajalakshmi Nethralaya by Rtn. R. Madhav Chandran, District Governor RI Dist 3201. In addition, various other senior functionaries of Rotary clubs of the district and The Eye Foundation will be present.
Under “Eye Serve” Rotary Texcity will assist in identifying locations for community eye camps to be conducted by the medical team from Rajalakshmi Nethralaya. Once the camps are established, Rotary Texcity would consider mobilising grants for providing equipment’s to Rajalakshmi Nethralaya to enable it to carry out the complex investigative procedures & surgeries for treatment of diseases like Glaucoma, Vitreo retinal disorders & Oculoplasty procedures to the needy free of cost. The Rotary Texcity Coimbatore would further explore the possibility of covering the cost of treatment of complex eye diseases.