The Harsh Reality of Cataract Blindness
For millions of people worldwide, cataract blindness is not just an inconvenience—it’s a life-altering disability that strips them of independence, employment, and dignity. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 100 million people suffer from treatable cataract blindness, yet many remain in the dark due to lack of access to affordable eye care.
This global crisis has been met with a revolutionary mission led by Tej Kohli, a billionaire philanthropist and investor dedicated to eliminating preventable blindness. Through the Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation, he is working towards restoring sight to 1 million people by 2030, providing free, high-quality cataract surgeries to those in extreme poverty.
Read more about the Mission Of Philanthropist Tej Kohli and how his foundation is changing lives.
A Patient’s Journey: From Darkness to Light
1. Living in Darkness
For many cataract patients, losing sight is a gradual process, often starting with blurred vision and worsening over time. In many low-income communities, individuals struggle to access medical care due to:
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Financial constraints—surgeries costing thousands of dollars are unaffordable.
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Limited healthcare facilities—many patients live in remote villages with no access to hospitals.
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Lack of awareness—some believe blindness is irreversible, leading them to accept darkness as fate.
Many cataract patients become dependent on their families, unable to work, and trapped in a cycle of poverty.
2. The Turning Point: Reaching a Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation Camp
With the establishment of mobile microsurgical outreach camps, the Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation is bringing free cataract surgeries directly to underserved communities.
Traveling to a medical camp – Patients and their families often walk miles to reach these camps, driven by the hope of regaining sight.
Comprehensive screening – Patients undergo detailed eye examinations to assess cataract severity.
Pre-surgery preparation – After counseling and medical check-ups, they prepare for a life-changing surgery.
For many, this is their first real chance at a brighter future.
3. The 10-Minute Miracle: The Cataract Surgery Process
One of the greatest breakthroughs in cataract treatment has been the scrotching technique developed by Dr. Sanduk Ruit.
Quick and effective – Cataract surgery is completed in just 7-10 minutes per patient.
Cost-effective – Affordable intraocular lenses (IOLs), produced at $5 per lens, make surgeries accessible.
No hospitalization required – Patients recover overnight and experience restored vision the next morning.
In Ghana alone, the foundation has performed 8,000 surgeries in just three months.
Learn more about the Mission Of Philanthropist Tej Kohli and his efforts to make cataract surgeries accessible worldwide.
4. Waking Up to a New Life
For many patients who have been blind for years, removing the bandages the next morning is an overwhelming experience.
Seeing family members again – The first sight of loved ones brings tears of joy.
Regaining independence – Patients can walk unaided, work, and contribute to their families.
Breaking free from poverty – With sight restored, they can return to work, ensuring financial stability.
A study in The Lancet found that treating cataract blindness can increase economic productivity by 1500% of the surgery cost in just one year.
This is not just a medical intervention—it’s a life transformation.
Scaling the Impact: A Visionary Approach
How Tej Kohli’s Mission is Making Global Eye Care Affordable
Reducing Surgery Costs – Traditional cataract surgeries cost $3,000 - $5,000, but the foundation performs them for just $70 per patient.
Expanding Reach – Over 105 microsurgical camps have been conducted across Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Ghana.
Increasing Lens Production – The foundation’s IOL manufacturing facility now produces 1 million lenses annually, making treatments sustainable.
With a goal to restore sight to 1 million people by 2030, Tej Kohli’s initiative is setting a benchmark for large-scale medical philanthropy.
Discover more about the Mission Of Philanthropist Tej Kohli and his strategy to combat global blindness.
A Future Without Preventable Blindness
The journey from blindness to vision is not just about medical advancements—it is about economic empowerment, restored dignity, and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Tej Kohli’s relentless efforts in making eye care affordable and accessible are transforming lives across continents.
As global awareness grows, could cataract blindness become a thing of the past?
With the right innovation, investment, and commitment, a world without preventable blindness is within reach.
Join the conversation—how can philanthropy drive global healthcare transformation? Share your thoughts below.
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