We conducted a study to find out.
Our recently-published report, entitled ‘The Economic and Social Cost of Blindness in India,’ uncovers the cost of vision impairment and the significant need for sustainable eye care. It also shares the solutions we are pioneering in this country. The key takeaway was that India is home to approximately 34 million people who live with blindness or moderate/severe vision impairment, costing the country US $54.4 billion each year.
Below is a high-level summary, and be sure to check out the full report on Seva’s website here.
Simply stated: People who live with blindness or visual impairment are more likely to find difficulty in gaining and retaining employment. Children who live with vision impairment fall behind in school, which may lead to lower earnings in adulthood. Thankfully, the majority of vision loss cases are treatable and preventable through a 15-minute cataract surgery. This year, Seva will establish 33 new Vision Centers with support from Standard Chartered Bank, creating access to eye care for an additional 4 million people.
