A total of 135 million people around the world are visually impaired, with 85 million individuals being completely blind. Of those suffering from blindness, 80% of the world’s cases are caused by clouding introduced by cataracts. Cataracts occur naturally as people age, and can be only be cured through surgery. Fortunately, this surgery is one of the fastest, cheapest and most reliably successful operations in the history of medicine. Thus, with sufficient healthcare delivery systems, they have the power to cure 80% of the world’s blindness. Sadly, in the Indian state of Odisha, this hope appears to be far from a reality. Only the coastal regions of Odisha have any significant health infrastructure, and rampant poverty along with a lack of awareness has perpetuated the unfortunate circumstances in central regions of the state. Thousands are suffering needlessly due to an easily correctable condition luckily, they do have the power to help.

Mission

• To be a centre of excellence in eye care research, training, prevention and care
• To reduce avoidable blindness by providing continual quality services to all those in need
• To offer advanced, affordable total eye care services under one roof accessible to all communities
• To promote community awareness and education on eye care

Vision

KEH works to promote quality of life in rural communities through providing affordable eye care services on a sustainable basis.