Seva Foundation

Seva is a global nonprofit eye care organization that works with local communities around the world to develop self-sustaining programs that preserve and restore sight.

Since 1978, Seva has provided sight-saving surgeries, eyeglasses, medicine, and other eye care services to more than 40 million people in under-served communities.

What Kind of Return Does a Dollar Get?

Posted on by Seva Foundation

Only social equity, stronger economies, and rediscovered dignity. 

Photo by Joe Raffanti.
Photo by Joe Raffanti.

Eyesight influences most aspects of daily life, from the playground to the job-site, infancy to old age. It’s alarming, then, that one-quarter of the global population – 2.2 billion people – are living with vision impairment, and only half of those get the care they need. More women are affected than men, and the numbers increase sharply with age. Without significant investment in preventative actions, these numbers are projected to increase to 1.8 billion by 2050, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. 

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Dr. Suzanne Gilbert: A Career in Service, Spirit, and Science.

Posted on by Seva Foundation
Photo: Suzanne Gilbert, Jahanara Romney, and Girija Brilliant prepare for the 1982 Board meeting outside the first Seva office.
Photo above: Suzanne Gilbert, Jahanara Romney, and Girija Brilliant prepare for the 1982 Board meeting outside the first Seva office.

This summer will begin a new chapter for Dr. Suzanne Gilbert as she retires from the Seva Foundation.

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Seva Partners Use Data to Strengthen Eye Care

Posted on by Seva Foundation
Photo: Seva partners participating in the Evidence-Informed Practice workshop in Hyderabad, India.
Photo above: Seva partners participating in the Evidence-Informed Practice workshop in Hyderabad, India

Since its founding, one of Seva’s guiding principles has been sensitivity to the culture and norms of the communities we serve. Research staff, consultants, and volunteers work directly with Seva partner eye hospitals to understand, at a root level, the systems unique to that facility.

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Seva Takes Home the Anthem Award

Posted on by Seva Foundation
Pristine 5.0 photo

Matt Damon and Misty Copland, would you mind scooting over? Yes, you may take your award with you. Oh this? Well, we have an award too. Let’s do lunch.

Fine, so we didn’t actually meet our fellow Anthem Award winners. Nonetheless, we’re proud to be among the ranks of people and worldwide organizations whose mission-driven work is acknowledged. In January, Seva was recognized in the categories of Health, Product and Service for the Pristine 5.0 camera (formerly Vistaro).

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I’ll Take Seva Trivia for 1,000, Ken.

Posted on by Seva Foundation
Photo of Savitri Joshi by Joe Raffanti.

Get your buzzer finger ready as we play a game of Seva trivia. With 45-plus years, 20 countries, and 57 million people served, we’ve got some history! Test your arcane knowledge in our quiz on the programs, solutions, and people that help make the joy of transforming lives by restoring sight possible. 

Ready? Let’s get to it.

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Eye care & the gender gap. Let’s talk about it.

Posted on by Seva Foundation
Photo by Apurva Shroff: At 16 years of age, Arati (on the right with her mother) was diagnosed with diabetes, causing cataracts in both her eyes. After receiving a free cataract surgery she is considering going back to school and continuing her studies!

It’s 2024, and women are still struggling to access equitable health care. How is this? Supporters like you have asked us this question quite a few times and we’re glad you do – we appreciate the hard q’s.

The disparities we’re grappling with are centuries old. Economic barriers, gender politics, and social norms – to name a few – make it difficult for women in developing countries to access eye care. 

Seva has worked to untangle and address these challenges for 45 years. From hiring and training local women as eye care professionals who can contribute to the local economy, to gender-responsive outreach and policy advocacy, we work in more than 20 countries to empower and serve women.

Here are a few of the profound ways you are helping Seva to level the playing field for women and girls.

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