According to a report by The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, globally 1.1 billion people live with vision impairment. In 2023, reports indicated that India is home to approximately 34 million people living with blindness or moderate to severe visual impairment. The number of blind people is now estimated at around 4.95 million, while the total number of those visually impaired is about 70 million. The unfortunate part is that around 90% of this could have been prevented had they received proper, timely care.
Blindness and vision impairment are major health problems in India that cause profound human and socio-economic impact.
Cognizant Foundation’s Eye Health Initiatives
Cognizant Foundation is committed to preventing childhood blindness and enhancing access to quality eye care through targeted interventions in India. Their efforts focus on three key areas: preventing Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), implementing school and community pediatric eye screenings, and expanding access to eye care using innovative technology.
Preventing Childhood Blindness through ROP Screening
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a serious eye condition affecting premature infants, potentially leading to irreversible blindness if untreated. India, with the highest number of preterm births globally, faces a significant burden of ROP due to high incidences of low birth weight. Cognizant Foundation addresses this challenge by funding the 3Nethra Neo device—an affordable, portable retinal imaging camera developed by Forus Health. This device enables trained technicians to capture retinal images of premature infants, which are then evaluated by specialists. Early diagnosis allows timely treatment through laser therapy, injections, or surgery, preventing lifelong blindness. The initiative primarily targets underserved and remote communities, reducing the emotional and financial burden on families.
School and Community Pediatric Eye Screening
Undetected vision problems can severely hinder a child’s development, education, and confidence. Globally, 448 million children suffer from refractive errors, and 90 million live with some form of sight loss. In developing countries, these impairments often lead to school dropouts and long-term socioeconomic challenges. Cognizant Foundation’s school and community screening programs aim to detect and treat eye related health issue at early stage. Children are screened for refractive errors and other conditions, with prescription glasses provided at schools or Vision Centres free of cost. Those needing further care are referred to partner hospitals for free or subsidized treatment. Follow-up and counseling ensure adherence to treatment, helping children reach their full potential.
Increasing Access to Quality Eye Care
Cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors are leading causes of blindness in India, especially in rural areas where access to care is limited. To bridge this gap, Cognizant Foundation supports the deployment of the 3Nethra device—a portable imaging system that detects a range of eye conditions. Operated by trained technicians, it enables early diagnosis and efficient referral to specialists. By equipping partner institutions with such technology, the Foundation ensures that millions in marginalized communities receive timely, affordable, and high-quality eye care.
Our representative partner list includes - Community Eye Care Foundation, Dr. Shroff Charity Eye Hospital, H V Desai Eye Hospital, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Mission for Vision, Operation Eyesight India, Pushpagiri Vitreo Retina Institute, Sankara Eye Hospital, Sharadadevi Eye Hospital, Velemegna Good News Society, Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology, Viswa Seva Samiti, Vivekanand Eye Hospital.
