Home / Health / Karnataka's Vision Leap: 2.5 Lakh Cataract Surgeries Done
Karnataka's Vision Leap: 2.5 Lakh Cataract Surgeries Done
7 Oct
Summary
- Over 2.5 lakh cataract surgeries performed in Karnataka since 2022.
- 14 million primary vision screenings conducted under the initiative.
- 393 vision centres established as part of the public health system.
Since 2022, Karnataka has witnessed a significant advancement in public health, with the Asha Kirana eyecare initiative successfully completing over 2.5 lakh cataract surgeries. This impactful program, supported by the World Health Organisation, the State government, and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, also provided 14 million primary vision screenings and distributed over 4.5 lakh free spectacles across eight districts.
A crucial development highlighted in the 'Advancing Integrated, People-Centred Eyecare' report is the establishment of 393 dedicated vision centres, known as Drishti Kendras. These centres are now a permanent fixture within the State's public health infrastructure. Located in community, taluk, and district hospitals, they offer vital community-based eye care, focusing on refractive errors and cataract treatment.
Each Drishti Kendra is strategically linked to a secondary-level surgical centre, ensuring patients receive specialized treatment for complex eye conditions and cataract procedures. Health Minister U.T. Khader emphasized that the initiative's core aim is to prevent avoidable blindness by making eye care services more accessible to all communities. Dr. Mohammed Asheel from WHO India noted that Asha Kirana exemplifies the effective implementation of integrated, people-centred eye care through community outreach, trained personnel, and technological integration.
