Suramma is back to normal

Cataract blindness is very common among poor people living in rural areas of India. Due to widespread poverty and a complete absence of ophthalmologists in rural areas, several thousands of poor people go blind and remain blind even though this is a treatable condition. To help such people, the Sankurathri Foundation has designed a community outreach program in which they take eye care to the door steps of the needy and poor in rural and remote areas.

Under this program, their medical team visits a location and conducts free eye examinations for all that show up. They advise those suffering from cataracts to undergo surgery, and if the patients are willing, Sankurathri provides same-day transportation to the base hospital for surgery. Preoperative testing, food, accommodation, medicine during surgery, intraocular lenses (lenses implanted in the eye), post operative medications, and transportation back to the village are free of cost to the patient. In addition, they also provide transportation to the two postoperative visits.

Suramma is a 60 year old widow living in the village of Peda Kothuru in Andhra Pradesh, India. She has two sons and four daughters, all of whom are married and living with their families save one son. Suramma developed a cataract in her right eye and consequent blindness. She found it was difficult for her to manage her own needs and reached out to the Sankurathri Foundation for help during a free eye screening camp in a nearby town. Due to your kindness, Harini, she received a cataract surgery and her eyesight has been restored.