In 2010, Heeralal became a para medical ophthalmic assistant (PMOA) after the Government of Madhya Pradesh called for MPWs to undergo PMOA training. He conducted regular eye exams at CHC Niwas but was disheartened by having only two or three patients a day. He took part in school screenings and cataract camps as awareness grew.

In 2022, Heeralal saw a turning point when we launched our Integrated People-Centred Eye Care project in Singrauli. CHCs were upgraded to vision centres, equipped with slit lamps and essential ophthalmic tools. PMOAs received refresher training for comprehensive eye examinations to build eye care capacity. A series of targeted interventions rolled out. We trained community health officers, accredited social health activists (ASHAs) and community health volunteers (CHVs). Screening camps were organized with a mobile vision van to boost awareness. With support from ASHAs and CHVs, Heeralal soon saw 12 to 15 patients daily.

Today, Heeralal feels more inspired than ever by the transformation in rural healthcare. His motivation grows with every person whose sight is restored.

Did you know? Integrating eye care into universal health care is one of the five recommendations of the World Health Organization 2019 World Report on Vision.

Learn more about our work in India here.

Learn why we’re working to integrate eye health care into primary health care here.

The post From health worker to eye care champion appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

“My name is Chikhale Motiram. I’m 21 years old, and I live in a small village in the Latur district in Maharashtra, India. I have one year of experience in surgical marketing. My father is a farmer, my mother is a house wife and I have four siblings. 

I completed the Vision Technician course from Operation Eyesight’s partner, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad in January 2019. Thanks to the training I received, I’ve now joined Udayagiri Lions Eye Hospital as a Vision Technician.  

I get to see different patients with different eye conditions. When the patients I have examined are given glasses and they go home with a smile on their face – that’s my favourite part about the work I do. 

I think the training was very important. It’s helpful to know how to diagnose a patient’s condition to refer them for treatment at the hospital. 

I took the refresher training for Vision Technicians/Optometrists. The training covered how to increase the number of patients helped, and to ensure patient satisfaction. Another important aspect of the training was to learn how to communicate with an uncooperative patient. 

Thank you so much for making this training available to me. I feel lucky to be helping people through my work.” 

It’s thanks to the support of people like you that Chikhale’s patients are receiving the quality eye care they need.

You can make it possible for more people like Chikhale to give the gift of sight to their communities with a donation today!

The post Chikhale is so grateful for your support! appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

Vineela joined our family in August 2018, after working for two years as a clinical optometrist at the L V Prasad Eye Institute. “My time there motivated me to join an organization that provides quality care for the people who need it most,” she says.

Vineela’s day at the office begins at 9:30 a.m. She starts by going through her weekly plans, preparing her to-do list and tackling her most urgent tasks. These often include following up on the progress of our partner hospitals and coordinating training for vision technicians, optometrists and ophthalmic assistants. Lunch is at 1 p.m., after which she’s busy with project and training reports. She wraps up at 5:30 p.m. with a final report to her manager and discussion about tomorrow’s important tasks.

But that’s not all. With her expertise in clinical optometry, Vineela trains optometrists, technicians and final-year optometry students, visiting one or two of our partner hospitals every month.

During these trips, she also monitors our Hospital-Based Community Eye Health Projects. She visits vision centres, talks with the staff and patients, checks patient records and addresses any areas for improvement. “I get to see the changes we bring into people’s lives. That’s what I like about my job the most!” says Vineela.

“My interests are in clinics and teaching,” she continues. “Operation Eyesight’s unique approach in reaching the underprivileged motivated me to apply for this position. Now I am very happy to be a part of this family and to serve the neediest!”

Your big-hearted gifts are making it possible to transform communities through people like Vineela. By donating today, you can help provide vulnerable communities in Africa and Asia with the quality eye care they need – For All The World To See!

The post A day in the life of a program officer appeared first on Operation Eyesight.