A Clearer Vision: How Sanskruti Transformed Her Future

For Sanskruti, the world was a blur. As her vision deteriorated, reading and writing at school became harder. As the lines on the chalkboard grew fuzzy and the faces of her classmates started to fade, Sanskruti's confidence began to fall too.

A child who dreamed of becoming a police officer, failing vision was threatening to put Sanskruti's schooling on hold, and throw her future into uncertainty.

Until one day, a routine eye screening at her school in Maharashtra, India changed everything.

“One by one, they inserted a lens of different power into the frame and asked me if I could see clearly.”

It was here that Sanskruti learned the reason for her struggles: she was suffering from refractive error. The diagnosis was scary for Sanskruti, but it also quickly led to a solution: she was referred to a nearby Orbis-supported Green Vision Centre for a more comprehensive eye examination.

Uncorrected refractive error is the leading cause of vision loss globally. Around 671 million people are dealing with vision issues from refractive error that could be treated. The good news is a simple eye screening and test can catch these problems, and a pair of glasses to treat refractive error can cost as little as £4 to provide. But for those without easy access to care, getting that help isn’t as simple. It’s a reminder of how important it is to push for better eye care for everyone so more children like Sanskruti can have better access to eyecare.

Sanskruti getting her eyes checked at a Orbis-supported Green Vision Centre in India.

After a thorough screening, the results were shared: Sanskruti needed a pair of glasses. After the initial surprise, she was soon excited to choose from a variety of stylish frames. “They showed me lots of different coloured glasses. It felt good. I chose the black ones as I liked them the most. It was perfect!”

With her new glasses perched on her nose, Sanskruti stepped outside, and saw the world transformed before her eyes: once again colours became vibrant, letters aligned into words, and her surroundings came into sharp focus.

Now equipped with clear vision, Sanskruti is more than just a student; she’s a dreamer with a purpose. Her aspirations have sharpened along with her sight, and she is determined to study hard to achieve her goal of becoming an Indian Police Service Officer.

Sanskruti choosing her new pair of glasses.

Thanks to the support she received, Sanskruti no longer sees a blurred world; instead, she sees a future filled with possibilities. Her journey is a testament to the profound impact that vision correction can have on someone’s life. With clarity comes ambition, and Sanskruti is ready to chase her dreams - one clear step at a time.

This World Sight Day, Sanskruti's story highlights how access to eye care can unlock the potential of so many. Across the world, children like her are struggling to see clearly, and with the right support, they can gain more than just vision—they can gain a future.