ZEISS India to drive Karnataka’s eye-care campaign Vidya Drishti

Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “Karnataka remains committed in its mission to eliminate preventable blindness and ensure accessible eye-care for all. Our Asha Kirana initiative has already made significant strides in delivering eye-care services directly to our citizens’ doorsteps. By integrating innovative technologies and comprehensive screening programmes by ZEISS India, we aim to foster a future where every child has the clarity of vision.”

ZEISS India, part of Carl Zeiss, a German manufacturer of optical systems and optoelectronics, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Karnataka to improve eye-care in the rural regions of the State.

The two-year-long eye care campaign — named Vidya Drishti — would commence in Kalaburagi district. The programme would be executed by Aloka Vision, a social arm of ZEISS, and would screen 5,32,000 school children in the age group of 5 and 16 for any vision related issues, and the relevant persons would be given prescription glasses.

Some 600,000 underprivileged population, aged above 39, would also be screened as part of this drive.

On March 6, Miguel Gonzalex Diaz, Managing Director, Carl Zeiss India, said, “Through this initiative, we aim to positively impact the lives of children in rural areas by providing essential vision care support. Clear vision is fundamental to education and overall development.’‘

Dhaval Radia, Chief Financial Officer, Carl Zeiss India, said, “Vidya Drishti programme in Kalaburagi in Karnataka will be the company’s pilot programme for the country. Based on the learnings it brings and the requirements for such screenings among deserving populations, the programme may be expanded to other districts of Karnataka, and event other States. Vidya Drishti is our first attempt. In addition, Aloka Foundation has already screened over 3.5 million people across the country during various campaigns.”

Minister for IT, BT, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge said, “There is an urgent need to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, where access to quality eye care remains a challenge. This collaboration between ZEISS India and Karnataka marks a significant step toward bridging this gap.

‘’Good vision is essential for a child’s education and overall development. Through the Vidya Drishti project, we aim to ensure that over 500,000 school children receive the critical eye care they need. A child’s ability to see clearly should not be a privilege — it should be their right!. A child who cannot see clearly cannot learn effectively,” said Mr. Kharge.