31 Atul Foundation | Annual Report 2024-25 | The eye camps aim to address widespread, yet preventable, vision-related health issues. It is being held regularly in tribal villages since 1978. A large proportion of the rural population continues to suffer from uncorrected refractive errors, untreated cataracts and other vision impairments due to a combination of factors, like limited awareness, poor access to medical facilities and financial constraints. Regular eye check-ups are rarely a priority and many individuals live with deteriorating vision, which in turn affects their ability to work, study and live independently. For elderly villagers, untreated cataracts often lead to complete loss of vision. For children, poor eyesight impacts their learning ability and school performance, perpetuating cycles of deprivation • conducted eye check-ups of 19,531 beneficiaries through 63 camps • distributed 15,003 spectacles • conducted 812 cataract operations Out of the 63 eye camps conducted this year, 46 camps were sponsored by Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India. Each camp includes preliminary vision screening, refraction test, consultation with ophthalmologist, distribution of spectacles and identification of cataract cases. Those requiring cataract surgery are supported with free transportation, food and accommodation during the surgery. Post-operative care is also ensured through follow-up visits. Bhagwandas Gupta, a resident of Godthal village, Navsari district, Gujarat, had been experiencing poor vision due to cataracts in both eyes. During a free eye check-up camp held in his village, he was diagnosed with cataracts and successfully underwent cataract surgery on both eyes. The treatment restored his eyesight, improving his daily life. Eye camps promoting eye health project initiated in 1978 1,25,474 beneficiaries | 368 camps HEALTH 30 | Health
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