Restore eyesight by sponsoring a cataract surgery by Sankara Eye Hospital, Pammal

We are happy to inform that we have conducted 155 camps and screened 8,263 persons during this period. We have performed 2801 free, 739 subsidy and 1340 paying cataract surgeries. The Hospital has also performed 248 specialty surgeries. The outreach camps are conducted daily in Chennai, Chengalpet, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur & border districts of Tamil Nadu.

We have joined with Rotary to establish 40 Vision Centres in various rural villages to serve at their doorstep. The Rotary Foundation has come forward to support us for the procurement of equipment, computers, furniture and electrical items. So far we have opened 26 Vision Centres.

We are looking for the location of the Vision Centre is near vicinity of our existing campsite so that we can stop conducting camps and the person who needs eye consultation can approach the Vision Centre which is a primary eye care.

Plan to open another 14 Vision Centres in the next calendar year.

Sri D.Balaraman, (MRD No. 550355) S/o. Sri Dakshinamurthy is working as a Carpenter. He is 54 years of age and presently resides at 18, Anjaneyar Koil Street, Pattalam, Perambur, Chennai. He is the sole bread-winner for his family.

For about one and a half years, he was suffering with poor vision and it aggravated recently. His neighbor, who benefited from the camp conducted by Sankara Eye Hospital, advised to attend the eye screening camp. Balaraman along with his neighbor attended the camp on 01/04/2022 at Ayanavaram. Upon testing his eyes, the Ophthalmologist informed him about the presence of mature cataract on both his eyes and the need to undergo the surgery immediately in Right Eye. Based on his consent, he was brought to the hospital on 07/04/2022 along with other patients selected for the surgery.

The Small Incision Cataract Surgery was performed the next day, 8th April 2022, after all the mandatory tests were conducted and he was found to be fit. He was also provided with post-operative care and was discharged the following day.

He happily returned home and his family members were delighted that his vision had been restored without incurring any cost from their end. He resumed for his carpentry work after taking rest for about 10 days, as advised.

He is willing to come for other eye surgery by end of November 2022.

Not only is it unfair and unfortunate to be blind and not be able to see, when one does not have to be, but more importantly, society stands to gain economically by helping a blind person see!!

Sankara Eye Hospital conducts rural outreach eye screening camps through its 'Kannoli-Vision Saver Project' in the districts of Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and Chittoor districts, and performs free cataract surgery for eligible patients.

The period between July to December 2021 was that of recovery and restoration after the second wave of Covid - 19 had severely impacted our Outreach programme for almost three months. Our hospital's main operation centres around our Rural Outreach initiative where we conduct screening camps at various villages and identify patients who need Cataract intervention to restore their vision. The intervention is a comprehensive one which covers screening, pick up, pre-operative surgical fitness checks, surgery, post-operative review on the day after the surgery, discharge, transportation back to the camp location and two post-operative reviews, one after 7 days and another after 30 days to confirm Vision restoration. The entire intervention is completely free of cost to the patient.

Under normal conditions, the hospital carries out around 60 surgeries every day but Covid-19 has severely impacted this number due to the extensive safeguards that need to be taken in the Wards as well as Operation Theaters. Cyclonic weather from October to early December also affected our camps and there was a decline in patient footfall. During this period, the hospital carried out 2801 free Cataract surgeries though twice that number could have been performed in the absence of these impediments.

The Pandemic forced a rethink in the way service delivery was being done. Instead of large camps, which pose risks to everyone involved, comprehensive screening through static Vision Centres set up in proximity to regular camp locations was considered seriously. With the support o Rotary International, it was decided to set up 40 Vision Centres in all the Districts where we were conducting camps. As of the end of December, 19 Vision Centres have been set up. The rest would be set up before the end of 2022. The intention is to screen patients at Vision Centres and those needing surgical intervention would be brought to the Hospital as per a pre-announced schedule. The Vision Centres would also permit the identification of other eye ailments and where necessary, an Ophthalmologist consultation would be facilitated through teleophthalmology. Thus these Vision Centres would allow truly comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation and treatment without having to travel to the hospital

During this period, we faced two major challenges. The second wave of Covid-19 had caused disruption which forced us to reduce the number of screening camps and also reduce the number of outpatients in each camp. Against a normal of 45 to 50 screening camps per month, we restricted the number to just about 25. Severe cyclonic weather from October to early December also disrupted our camps. With vaccinations picking up momentum, we are confident that in the coming months, we will carry out a larger number of camps and reach our target of at least 5000 surgeries before March 2022

During the next six months, we also intend to make our Vision Centres a robust on-demand option for comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation while retaining the facility of free surgical intervention for those in need.

Sri G Kandipan, (MRD No. 536527) S/o.Sri E.Gnanam is aged 53 years, residing at No. No.193, Pammal Main Road, Pammal, Chennai, Tamilnadu. His left leg was affected by Polio. He is living in a rented house with his wife, two daughters & one son. Three years back, he used to purchase grocery items from wholesale shops, repack these into smaller packs in his house with the help of his wife and supply them to local grocery shops. For three years, he set up a small grocery shop himself, on rented premises and has been running it since then.

He has been suffering from poor vision for about 6 months which worsened in the last 3 months. He came to Pammal Sankara Eye Hospital where he was completely examined and advised to undergo cataract surgery in his left eye. As a routine procedure, he was counselled & explained about various payment packages. He expressed his inability to pay for the surgery and requested to be considered for free surgery. Considering his financial position, our staff advised Kandipan to go to the Kundrathur screening camp which was being held the next week.

Accordingly, Kandipan attended the free Eye Screening Camp organized by Sankara Eye Hospital, Pammal at Kundrathur on October 12, 2021. Upon testing his eyes, it was confirmed that he is having a cataract in both his eyes. He was advised to take up the surgery in his left eye immediately. Based on his consent, he was brought to the hospital on the same day along with other patients selected for the surgery.

He underwent a general health check-up for physical fitness. The Small Incision Cataract Surgery with Intra Ocular Lens on his Left Eye was successfully performed on 13th October 2021. He was provided with medicines, accommodation, food & nursing care during his stay, all free of cost and was discharged the following day with good postoperative vision.

Kandipan is glad to get his eyesight restored and is confident to devote more time to his shop. He is thankful to the unknown donors for supporting his surgery which otherwise he could not afford

This financial year beginning was a challenging one for all of us due to COVID 19 pandemic. 

The Government has suspended the outreach eye screening camps from 24th March 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. 

During the last 9 months from April to December 2020, the Hospital has conducted 5 outreach camps and screened 143 persons.  The Hospital has performed 141 free, 1283 paying, 594 subsidized cataract surgeries. The Hospital has also performed 159 specialty surgeries.

Case Study of Smt G Manjula – MRD No.518541
Smt Manjula, W/o Sri Gajendran aged 48 years resides at Enathur Village, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.  She is working in a College as housekeeping staff. 

Over two years, she has been suffering from blurred vision on her Right Eye. She went to a private Hospital for consultation. She was advised to undergo cataract surgery.  Due to non-affordability, she did not go back to them. Her vision worsened and she was unable to see objects clearly. One of our staff at Vision Centre, Kanchipuram went on a door-to-door survey to identify eye care needs in the village and advised Manjula to visit our Vision Centre.  She immediately came to our VC and was screened.  She was informed of having cataract in her right eye. She immediately gave her consent to undergo the surgery and she was transported to the base Hospital at Pammal on 27th December 2020.

The routine health check-ups were done, she was found to be fit for the surgery. She was admitted on the same day.  Small Incision Cataract Surgery with Intra Ocular Lens in right eye was performed on 28th December 2020 successfully. She was provided with medicines, accommodation, food & nursing care during her stay, all absolutely free of cost. She was discharged on the next day with good post-operative vision and dropped back home. Her eye condition was reviewed after a week and it was confirmed that she has recovered well. Her visual acuity at the second review was 6/6.  She was advised to come for other eye cataract surgery after 6 months.

Manjula & her family are happy now with her vision restored – that too totally free of cost.  She is now confident and will rejoin her duty shortly.

Restoring eyesight

Smt Sivagami W/o Sri Sekar resides at No.5/4, Anna Street, Kalaignar Thoppu, Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. She is a homemaker. Her age is 42 years. Her husband is working as coolie. More than a year, she has been suffering from blurred vision on her Left Eye. As her family could not afford for the surgery, she was waiting for an opportunity to get this done free of cost. Her desires were fulfilled when she attended the eye screening camp organized by Sankara Eye Hospital at Vellore on 2nd January 2020. After thorough examination by Ophthalmologist, she was informed of having mature cataract in her left eye. She immediately gave her consent to undergo the surgery and was taken to the base hospital the same day. Upon admission and undergoing the routine health check-ups, she was found to be fit for the surgery. The Small Incision Cataract Surgery with Intra Ocular Lens in Left Eye was performed on 3rd January 2020 successfully. She was provided with medicines, accommodation, food; nursing care during her stay, all absolutely free of cost. She was discharged on the next day with good post- operative vision and dropped back home. Sivagami is highly delighted to have her eye sight restored – that too totally free of cost. She is now confident as she longer has to depend on others to manage the household activities. She greatly appreciates the help extended.

Patients receiving the care and support

Program Update

Sankara Eye Hospital, Pammal has been conducting rural outreach eye screening camps in around 1200 villages of Kanchipuram & Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu and Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Our Branch Hospital at Samarjhola, Odisha conducts similar camps in Ganjam District which covers 3226 villages

So far the hospitals have performed over 2.89 lakh surgeries of which over 85% of the patients are rural poor. The hospitals have performed 4482 free cataract surgeries between January and March 2019.

During their stay in the hospital, the nutritional needs are taken care to accommodate dietary restrictions for hypertensive and diabetic patients

Story from the field

Ravi C, S/o.Sri.Chinna Kannan (MRD No.473327) aged 53 years, is residing at No.3/406, Bharathiyar Street, Ambedkar Nagar, Thiruvalangadu, Chennai. He is working as coolie.

He was having problem with his eye sight for over six months. He came to know that an eye screening camp is conducted by Sankara Eye Hospital on 24/03/2019 at Kanakamma Chathiram. He attended the camp and after thorough examination, the doctors advised to undergo Cataract Surgery in his left eye. He was brought to the Hospital and admitted on the same day.

He underwent the general health checkup for physical fitness. The Small Incision Cataract Surgery with Intra Ocular Lens on Left Eye was performed on 25th March 2019, successfully. He was provided with medicines, accommodation, food & nursing care during his stay, all absolutely free of cost. He was discharged on the next day with good post-operative vision and dropped back home.

He is a known diabetic patient. We gave a special attention to him not only in medication but also when feeding. We fed rava-upuma and tea without sugar during his stay at our hospital.

He is happy now and able to manage the day-to-day activities comfortably.

Program Update

Sankara Eye Hospital, Pammal has been conducting rural outreach eye screening camps in around 1200 villages of Kanchipuram & Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu and Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Our Branch Hospital at Samarjhola, Odisha conducts similar camps in Ganjam District which covers 3226 villages

So far the hospitals have performed over 2.85 lakh surgeries of which over 85% of the patients are rural poor. The hospitals have performed 6326 free cataract surgeries between July and December 2018.

During their stay in the hospital, the nutritional needs are taken care to accommodate dietary restrictions for hypertensive and diabetic patients

Story from the field

Malliga (MRD No.453971) aged 57 years residing in Chettikulam Street, Sholingar, Vellore district had been experiencing blurred vision for over six months. Malliga and her husband are farmers. They have their own land for cultivation. Due to her poor economic condition, she avoided visiting hospital. Her son came to know about the free eye screening camp organized by Sankara Eye Hospital at Sholingar on 2nd September 2018. She attended the camp along with her son where she was diagnosed with Cataract and advised to undergo surgery in her right eye. She was brought to the base hospital at Pammal.

After the routine health check-ups, the cataract surgery with Intraocular Lens was performed on 3rd September. She was provided with food, accommodation, surgery and medication free of cost. She was discharged on the next day with required counselling and medication and dropped back to their village.

The restoration of eye sight has brought new confidence to Malliga as she longer has to depend on others to manage the household activities, as well, the cultivation. She greatly appreciates the help provided to her through this eye care programme. She has become an ambassador to spread the message about our eye care programme.