Shining a Light on Vision Centres: Aarav’s Journey to a Brighter Future

In rural regions with limited access to quality eye care, where do families turn for help?

Vision loss significantly reduces the chances of gaining a good education and often stands between children and their dreams of a better future. This Diwali, Orbis is highlighting how your support can help bring hope and light to lives threatened by sight loss.

Diwali, known as the festival of lights, symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil for those who observe it. The term "Diwali" translates to "a row of lights." Celebrated worldwide, it holds special significance in countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. At this time of year, sight restoration can hold an even greater significance for those impacted by avoidable loss.

Aarav was born with limited sight, as the years went on, she began having to tilt her head and strain her eyes to see her family. Her parents, feeling lost and heartbroken, were saddened over their daughter facing such a tough struggle so young.

In rural India, where Aarav lives, a girl’s future often depends heavily on her health and education. Upset by the comments of neighbours who noticed Aarav’s condition, her parents were determined to find a solution to her sight impairment. So, they took her to an Orbis-supported Vision Centre in a neighbouring town.

Orbis's Green Vision Centres are helping revolutionise eye care in rural India. These centres, which are often led by women, break down the barriers that prevent women from accessing eye care, while promoting women's leadership in the field of eye care. The centres also run on sustainable green energy. Primarily serving low-income patients, the centres provide essential eye screenings and primary eye care services to those who might otherwise lack access to affordable treatment.

At the vision centre, Aarav’s parents were told their daughter had cataracts and would need surgery to restore her vision. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness globally, and the longer a child waits for surgery, the greater their risk of permanent vision loss. In the UK, patients can receive treatment quickly, where the surgery takes just around 20 minutes. Hundreds of surgeries are performed daily on the NHS. However, in countries like India, a lack of access and trained surgeons often prevents those in need from receiving this vital sight saving care.

But thanks to your support like yours, Aarav underwent a first successful surgery which has already restored sight to her right eye. She is shortly due to undergo her second surgery which her family hope will complete the restoration of her sight and allow her to fully experience and enjoy the world around her.

Her mother expressed gratitude:

Aarav can now grow up with the gift of sight, pursuing an education and a life filled with possibilities. Our mission to provide accessible eye care in India is making a real difference, but we cannot do it alone. Your support can help us reach more communities and transform more lives this Diwali and across the year.

Together, we can bring the gift of sight to those who need it most.