Vision 2020 The Right to Sight - INDIA

03/10/2025

We still have a long way to go in preventing vision loss due to diabetes. Here are some excerpts from the consultation shared by Dr. Praveen Vashist, Secretary of VISION 2020 and Professor & Officer In-Charge of Community Ophthalmology at R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS DELHI. Thank you for sharing your valuable insights.

Check out the key highlights in our infographic.

30/09/2025

At the very beginning of the Technical Consultation on revising Manual on Management of Diabetic Retinopathy, we hosted on (28th September), Dr. Kim Ramasamy, Chief Medical Officer at ARAVIND EYE CARE SYSTEM Hospital (our valued member), raised a crucial point:

"After all, who will use these revised guidelines on the management of Diabetic Retinopathy?"

Hear him out as he explains why this is such an important question.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that alone has over 100 million people living with diabetes in 2025, projected to rise steeply in the coming years. Among its complications, Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of preventable blindness in working-age adults.

29/09/2025

Together, we are taking a significant step toward improving eye health, with a special focus on retinal health in India.

On the occasion of (28th September), VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – India organised a Technical on revising the (DR) Guidelines.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants who joined this important consultation. It marks the beginning of a collective journey—one that focuses on raising awareness, fostering early intervention, and addressing the growing challenge of Diabetic Retinopathy in India.

This milestone is not just about updating a manual—it is about aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat, where preventable blindness is tackled with urgency, collaboration, and .

Thank you for being part of this monumental journey.

VISION 2020 remains committed to building a future where every Indian has the right to sight. With a strong of over 200+ eye care institutions and organizational members across India, we continue to drive collective efforts to strengthen eye health and eliminate avoidable blindness. Stay tuned for more updates!

26/09/2025

We thank all participants speakers, Dr. Praveen Vashist, Dr. Rajesh Khadgawat, Dr. Chaitra Jayadev, Dr. Alok Sen, Dr. Manisha Agarwal who joined today’s webinar and enriched the discussions.

With over 100 joining us from across India, the session highlighted how (DR) is becoming a leading cause of preventable blindness, as the rising diabetes burden in India and globally poses major public health challenges.

Experts shared the current status of DR in India, noting that while awareness and screening programs have improved, very few people with diabetes undergo regular retina checks—leaving millions at risk of vision loss.

The also pointed to for and collaboration—from early detection and affordable technologies to greater treatment access and last-mile awareness. The collective vision: a DR-free population built on prevention, timely interventions, and sustainable care.

This was the first in our series, and we look forward to continuing these vital conversations and solutions.
Dr. R P Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS
Narayana Nethralaya
Dr. Shroff Charity Eye Hospital

Roche

Dr.Rajesh Saini

25/09/2025

VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – India is organizing a Webinar cm Panel Discussion on “Diabetes & Diabetic Retinopathy: Awareness, Early Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention”. This session will bring together leading experts to share insights on strengthening awareness, prevention, and treatment of diabetic retinopathy—one of the leading causes of preventable blindness.

Date: 26 September 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM IST
Register here: https://lnkd.in/g8bDUrDW

Moderator: Dr. Praveen Vashist, Secretary, VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – India

Speakers:
Rajesh Khadgawat (AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi)
Dr. Chaitra Jayadev (Narayana Nethralaya)
Dr. Alok Sen (SNC Chitrakoot)
Dr. Manisha Agarwal (Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital)

19/05/2025

As you know, we are organizing the 19th Annual Conference 'Breaking Barriers: Advancing Inclusion and Accessibility in Eye Care – A Step Towards Viksit Bharat 2047' hosted at the Blind People’s Association (BPA), Ahmedabad, from 11th to 13th July 2025.

This national conference will bring together leading voices in community ophthalmology and inclusive eye health to share knowledge, best practices, and innovative strategies. The meticulously designed scientific program will facilitate meaningful deliberations on breaking barriers in inclusion and accessibility in eye care, aligning with our collective goal of achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.

We’re kicking off the conference on 11th July with a Pre-Conference Workshop titled "Grant Writing and Storytelling," aimed at building capacity to write high-quality proposals and effectively communicate project impact.

This hands-on session will equip participants with essential skills to strengthen resource mobilization and enhance storytelling for community eye health initiatives.

Blind People's Association India
Sightsavers India
Mission for Vision - MFV

19/05/2025

Reminder | 1 Day to Go!

Join us tomorrow, 20th May 2025, for an intriguing session on:
Inclusive Eye Health: Experiences from West India

Featuring: Ms. Nandini Rawal, Executive Director, Blind People’s Association (India) and Ms. Vimal Thawani, Project Director, Blind People’s Association (India), moderated by Dr.Heena SINGLA

Gain valuable perspectives from two inspiring leaders working at the grassroots of inclusive eye care. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, reflect, and engage!

Save the Date: 20th May 2025
Read here for more information: https://lnkd.in/gczQwyiN

Blind People's Association India

28/04/2025

1 Day to Go!

Be a part of the global movement for eye health!

Don’t miss 2030 In Sight Live – Nepal, a flagship event by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). Join in-person or online to engage with leading voices in eye , , and .

With the South-East Asia region bearing a significant burden of and visual impairment, this conference is a crucial opportunity to:

🔹 Accelerate national and regional commitments

🔹 Drive impactful policy

🔹 Strengthen cross-sector collaboration

🔹 Share learnings and propose regional recommendations for eye care

VISION 2020/IAPB Orbis India Sightsavers India Cure Blindness Project Aravind Eye Care System

Phanindra Babu Nukella
Dr. Rajesh Saini Praveen Vashisht

25/04/2025

Countdown to 2030: Advancing the Global Eye Health Agenda

VISION 2020: The Right to Sight- INDIA stand united in our policy engagement work for the prevention of avoidable blindness in India. As we believe a collective strength is essential to eliminate preventable vision loss and position eye health as a vital part of public health policy and action.

What better platform to champion this mission than 2030 In Sight Live – Nepal, a global conference taking place from 29th April to 1st May 2025 organized by VISION 2020/IAPB

This landmark event will bring together world leaders, public health experts, passionate advocates, and changemakers to learn, collaborate, and spark transformative change.

With a compelling agenda and visionary dialogue, the conference is a powerful call to action for policymakers, professionals, and civil society to prioritize global eye health. Read more here https://www.iapb.org/about/2030-in-sight/

Please Note: Image Courtesy of IAPB.

Phanindra Babu Nukella

24/04/2025

Did you know?

Indian researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research , along with doctors from AIIMS, Delhi and Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, have made a groundbreaking move in medical logistics.

Drones are now being used as a reliable alternative to road transport—especially in rural and semi-urban areas where timely delivery of supplies can be a challenge reducing cornea tissue delivery time from 2–2.5 hours to just 40 minutes.

This innovation shows how can play a vital role in restoring sight and preventing .

Read more here https://bit.ly/4cIwlFu

India Today Hindi

Phanindra Babu Nukella
Orbis India
Sightsavers India
Aravind Eye Care System
Lions Clubs International Foundation
VISION 2020/IAPB

Indian researchers assessed whether drones could safely carry sensitive eye tissues from collection centres to hospitals. The trials reduced delivery time from 2-2.5 hours by road to 40 minutes.

21/04/2025

1 Day to Go!

Don't miss this engaging session on “Strategies for Building Volumes in the Community Ophthalmology Setup.”

🗓️ Date: 22 April 2025
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Register here: https://live.cybersight.org/register/95297539316

Speaker: Mr. Senthilraja, Head – Community Outreach Programs (CORP), Sankara Eye Foundation, India

Phanindra Babu Nukella
Sightsavers India
AIIMSDelhi
Dr. R P Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS
VisionSpring
Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital
Optometry Confederation of India
Orbis India
SEVA FOUNDATION
Cure Blindness Project
Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital

16/04/2025

Join us for an insightful webinar on “Strategies for Building Volumes in the Community Ophthalmology Setup" – an important step toward making eye health services more accessible in rural and underserved areas.

🗓️ Date: 22 April 2025
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Speaker: Mr. Senthilraja, Head – Community Outreach Programs (CORP), Sankara Eye Foundation, India

This session will spotlight practical strategies to increase patient volumes, enhance outreach, and build sustainable, community-driven eye care models.

Open to all: Ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, ophthalmic technicians, programme managers, public health professionals, and more.

Register here: https://vision2020india.org/event-details/30
Phanindra Babu Nukella
Dr.Rajesh Saini
Dr. Praveen Vashist
Kuldeep Singh