World Sight Day 2023 — The Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation
In a world that constantly bombards us with visual stimuli, it’s easy to take the gift of sight for granted. However, for millions of people worldwide, vision impairment or blindness is a daily reality. World Sight Day, celebrated annually on the second Thursday of October, serves as a reminder of the global vision crisis.
The Global Vision Crisis
- The Prevalence of Vision Impairment:
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from vision impairment or blindness. Of these, around 1 billion have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed.
2. Impact on Quality of Life:
Vision impairment significantly impacts an individual’s quality of life. It affects their ability to perform daily tasks, limits educational and employment opportunities, and isolates them from their communities.
3. Economic Consequences:
The global economic cost of vision impairment is estimated to be in the billions of dollars each year. This includes healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and the burden on caregivers.
4. Lack of Access to Eye Care:
One of the major challenges in addressing this crisis is the lack of access to eye care services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Many people suffer in silence due to the absence of affordable and accessible eye care.
Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation’s Role
Against this backdrop of the global vision crisis, we hope to emerge as a beacon of hope. Founded by Tej Kohli and Dr. Sanduk Ruit, we are dedicated to eradicating preventable blindness and restoring vision to those in need. Here’s how the Foundation is making a difference:
Pioneering Surgical Techniques
Dr. Sanduk Ruit, a renowned ophthalmologist, and his team have developed innovative surgical techniques that make eye surgeries more affordable and accessible. These techniques have transformed cataract surgery, ensuring that even the poorest of the poor can have their sight restored.
Free Eye Camps and Outreach Programs
The Foundation conducts free eye camps in remote and underserved areas, providing comprehensive eye care services to thousands of individuals. These outreach programs are instrumental in identifying and treating eye conditions early.
Education and Training
To ensure sustainability, we train local healthcare professionals and eye surgeons, empowering them to provide quality eye care in their communities.
World Sight Day 2023 Initiatives
On World Sight Day 2023, we will launch a series of initiatives aimed at raising awareness, providing free eye care services, and advocating for greater access to eye care around the world. These efforts exemplify their unwavering commitment to eliminating preventable blindness.
World Sight Day 2023 serves as a poignant reminder that the global vision crisis is a pressing issue that demands our attention. The Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation’s remarkable work in addressing this crisis through innovative solutions, outreach programs, and advocacy efforts is nothing short of inspiring. As we celebrate World Sight Day, let us remember the millions of individuals who still await the gift of sight and support organisations like the Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation in their mission to make a brighter, clearer world for all.
