India contributes to one-fourth of the world blindness. Almost 80 percent of which is curable. Cataract, the leading cause of visual loss in the elderly, can be treated by a simple surgical procedure. However, lack of awareness and economic constraints prevent a vast majority of the population from receiving adequate care. If left untreated, an advanced cataract can lead to permanent visual loss.
The Eye Foundation conducts various outreach programs under its charitable wing the Nethra Jyothi Trust. Numerous eye camps and school health camps are conducted through the charitable hospitals ThirumurthiNethralaya at Tirupur and Rajalakshmi Nethralaya at Coimbatore.
ThirumurthiNethralaya was conceived in the year 1985 as an eye care facility for underprivileged patients in and around Tirupur, Palladam and Avanashi Taluks. It originally began as a small clinic and later evolved into a full fledged eye hospital with in-patient facilities by the year 1992. The hospital caters to the economically weaker section of the society by providing free or concessional eye care. Cataract surgeries were performed free of cost in the year 2015.
