Global Vision: Tej Kohli’s Mission to End Preventable Cataract Blindness

The Growing Crisis of Preventable Blindness

Cataract blindness is one of the leading causes of vision impairment worldwide, affecting an estimated 100 million people. Despite being treatable through a simple 10-minute surgery, millions remain blind due to lack of affordable healthcare, medical facilities, and financial constraints—especially in low-income and remote regions.

This pressing global issue has driven Tej Kohli, a renowned entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, to lead a transformative mission to end preventable cataract blindness by 2030. Through the Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation, he has already restored sight to over 48,000 individuals and aims to reach 1 million people worldwide.

Read more about the Mission Of Philanthropist Tej Kohli and how his initiative is revolutionizing global eye care.

Tej Kohli’s Commitment to Affordable Eye Care

Through his pioneering initiatives, Tej Kohli is proving that restoring vision isn’t just about medical intervention—it’s about economic empowerment and social transformation. The Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation is addressing three key challenges that have historically made cataract treatment inaccessible:

High Surgery Costs

Traditional cataract surgeries cost between $3,000 and $5,000, making them unaffordable for millions of people.
Solution: The Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation has reduced the cost to just $70 per patient, ensuring cost-effective and scalable treatments.

Limited Access to Eye Care Facilities

90% of cataract patients live in remote regions with no access to healthcare.
Solution: The foundation organizes microsurgical outreach camps in Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Ghana, conducting up to 600 free cataract surgeries daily.

Lack of Affordable Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

Cataract surgery requires an intraocular lens (IOL), but traditional lenses cost $500 each.
Solution: Tej Kohli’s investment in advanced lens manufacturing has brought the cost down to just $5 per lens, making millions of surgeries possible.

Innovative Approaches That Make the Mission Scalable

Tej Kohli’s strategy for eliminating cataract blindness relies on three groundbreaking innovations:

1. The "Scrotching" Surgical Technique

• Developed by Dr. Sanduk Ruit, this method enables cataract surgeries to be completed in just 7 minutes, making treatments faster and more efficient.

2. Large-Scale Intraocular Lens (IOL) Production

• Tej Kohli’s funding has expanded a lens manufacturing facility that now produces nearly 1 million IOLs annually.

• These affordable lenses make cataract surgeries accessible and sustainable.

3. Sustainable and Scalable Treatment Models

• By partnering with local governments, hospitals, and NGOs, the foundation ensures long-term impact and continues expanding outreach programs globally.

Discover how the Mission Of Philanthropist Tej Kohli is pioneering scalable eye care solutions.

Why Eliminating Cataract Blindness Matters

Restoring sight isn’t just about vision—it’s about opportunity. Blindness has devastating socio-economic consequences, particularly in low-income communities:

Loss of income: Blind individuals are unable to work, pushing entire families deeper into poverty.
Dependence on caregivers: Family members must quit jobs to provide care, further reducing household income.
Economic productivity boost: Studies published in The Lancet show that treating cataract blindness increases an individual’s economic output by 1500% of the surgery cost in just one year.

By making eye care accessible, Tej Kohli’s initiative is breaking the cycle of poverty while giving people a second chance at life.

A Global Vision: The Path to 2030

Tej Kohli’s Plan to Reach 1 Million People

Expand outreach camps to more underserved regions.
Increase intraocular lens production to further lower surgery costs.
Strengthen global partnerships to integrate affordable eye care into national healthcare systems.

His mission aligns with:
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) 2030 in Sight Strategy

"If we develop a self-sustaining model to counter cataract blindness, it could be a game-changer, reducing the grip of extreme poverty significantly." — Tej Kohli

Learn how the Mission Of Philanthropist Tej Kohli is making cataract care more accessible.

Final Thoughts: A Future Without Preventable Blindness

The fight against preventable blindness is not just about medical advancements—it’s about creating lasting social and economic impact. Through philanthropy, innovation, and global collaboration, Tej Kohli’s mission is proving that affordable eye care for all is possible.

By 2030, millions more will regain their sight, reclaim their independence, and rebuild their lives—all thanks to Tej Kohli’s vision for a world without preventable blindness.

Could cataract blindness become a thing of the past? With Tej Kohli’s leadership, that future is within reach.

Read more about the Mission Of Philanthropist Tej Kohli and his global fight against cataract blindness.