In economically disadvantaged regions, residents in rural areas continue to face challenges in accessing quality eye care.
Operating across extensive rural areas of India like Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, we are an extensive network of over 40+ eye care centers providing exceptional ophthalmic care to some of the most remote, rural, and underserved populations.
The Challenges
Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital's impact over the last 16 years
Our Solution
Since 2018, Akhand Jyoti USA has supported Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in addressing the shortfall of accessible eye care through permanent solutions like Vision Centers.
Bihar, India, faces a pressing need for accessible and affordable eye care. The Government of India recommends one Vision Center for every 200,000 people. However, Bihar has fewer than 1,000 optometrists out of the 5,000 required, highlighting a significant gap.
Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital, in partnership with Akhand Jyoti USA, addresses this issue by establishing Vision Centers managed by optometrists, embodying the philosophy of “Working Where It Matters.” Strategically located in underserved blocks and districts in Bihar, these Vision Centers provide continuous, community-based care, unlike temporary solutions like eye camps.
By bridging the gap between rural communities and tertiary hospitals, Vision Centers tackle avoidable blindness and visual impairment, ensuring ongoing and sustainable care.
What is a Vision Center
Compact, permanent eye-care facility
A vision center is a compact, permanent facility established in rural areas to provide primary eye care services to rural communities where eye care services are limited or unavailable.
Staff
Optometrists trained by Akhand Jyoti through the ‘Football to Eyeball’ Girl’s Education program manage the center, while ophthalmologists provide specialized consultations to vision center patients via teleophthalmology.
Positioning
Community level Primary Eye care services with referral for sight-restoring surgery to tertiary hospital network at zero or subsidized costs.
Hallmarks
Affordable primary eye care services are offered under one roof, supported by an advanced tele-ophthalmology setup. The facility also features a fast eyewear dispensing service, providing glasses within two hours, with prices starting at just $3.
Vision Center Features
Eye care providers in developing countries face significant challenges in delivering services to all who need them. Hospitals are often inaccessible to remote communities, and while eye camps are useful, they typically see low attendance.
Akhand Jyoti USA supports Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital to address these barriers by establishing Vision Centers (VC) to serve rural, marginalized communities with accessible and affordable eye care. Over 80% of patients at these centers are fully treated on-site, with less than 20% referred to base hospitals for surgeries or advanced care.
Since launching its first Vision Center in 2009, Akhand Jyoti has established over 40 centers, covering a population of nearly four million across Bihar.
These centers are integral to Akhand Jyoti’s ‘Football to Eyeball’ Girls’ Education program, empowering women as optometrists and entrepreneurs. Female-led Vision Centers challenge patriarchal norms while ensuring high-quality eye care in underserved areas.
- Free primary screening and treatment through Vision Center-owned outreach network.
- Free eye surgeries (to be conducted at the mapped surgical center).
- Tele-ophthalmology facility available for remote consultations with specialists at the main hospital.
A Typical Vision Center Layout
Akhand Jyoti’s Vision Center, spanning 1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft., is designed to provide efficient, comprehensive eye care with dedicated spaces for patient services and staff operations.
Creating employment at Vision Center
The Vision Centers are key to Akhand Jyoti’s ‘Football to Eyeball’ Girls’ Education program, empowering women as optometrists and entrepreneurs who run and manage the centers.
- 130,000 Patients to be screened through outreach camps
- 8,000 Spectacles to be dispensed from the Vision Center
- 38,400 Patients to be seen at the Vision Center
- 1,200 Patients to be referred for cataract surgery through the Vision Center
The setup of a Vision Center involves both initial and ongoing costs to ensure the delivery of accessible and quality eye care to underserved communities.
- Capital Expenditure (one time)- $ 29,775 USD
- Operational Expenditure (Annual)- $ 17,750 USD
- Tele-ophthalmology Unit cost: $ 8,875 USD / unit
- Operation cost of Tele-ophthalmology Unit will be borne by Akhand Jyoti
Co-branding opportunities with Akhand Jyoti’s Vision Centers offer prominent visibility for your brand, both in the center’s physical space and through ongoing patient interactions.
Your brand will be showcased in key areas, ensuring recognition by visitors, staff, and the community as a key supporter of accessible eye care.
Vision Centers in Pictures
The Optometrists' room provides a safe space with free accommodation for trained girls.
The registration area ensures seamless access to primary eye care services.
The optometrist's chamber, equipped with modern tools, delivers thorough eye exams and care.
The patient waiting room offers a comfortable space for those awaiting eye care.
The optical fitting area provides personalized eyewear fittings for optimal vision care.
The vision examination area is equipped with tools for comprehensive eye exams and care.
The optical dispensing area offers all kinds of eyewear with personalized fittings.
The Vision Centre is strategically located, serving as a compact, permanent facility in rural areas.
Vision 2030
To eliminate blindness in low-income regions like Bihar, India, expanding surgical capacity and training more professionals are essential. Increasing specialized facilities and skilled surgeons ensures timely care in underserved rural areas, reducing preventable blindness and improving eye health.
As Akhand Jyoti looks to the future, it is guided by an ambitious strategy: Vision 2030. This roadmap envisions a transformative decade focused on scaling up eye care services, building infrastructure, and empowering communities. The key goals of Vision 2030 include:
12 Million
Eye Screenings
2 Million
Sight-restoring Surgeries for the blind
1500
Girls trained as optometrists to drive the blindness elimination program
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Eye Health
We will always be dedicated to restoring sight for underprivileged, visually impaired patients.
Women Empowerment
We will always work to support rural underprivileged girls and women and help them get equal opportunities.
Targeted Rural Interventions
We will continue to work only in low-income geographies to support the most deprived people.
