Eradicating Avoidable Blindness in Rural Raichur
In remote rural villages of Raichur District, hundreds of elderly farmers and grandmothers live in near-total darkness due to untreated cataracts. With no ophthalmic surgeons nearby and lacking the funds to afford commercial private eye hospitals, they lose the ability to work, navigate their homes, or see their grandchildren’s faces.
Through our formal association with the District Blindness Control Society (DBCS) and Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Services, Govt of Karnataka, RKB Foundation’s M.K. Bhandari Hospital operates the “Regain Your Sight” initiative. Over 2,500 cataract surgeries have been successfully conducted free of charge, with an average of 30 cases per month (over 500 operated in recent 6 months alone).
From Village Square to Restored Vision: 5-Step Process
A seamless, dignified healthcare model ensuring high clinical precision and zero out-of-pocket costs for rural seniors.
Outreach Screening
Comprehensive eye camps conducted in villages across Raichur, Manvi, Sindhanur, and Devadurga.
Clinical Evaluation
Slit-lamp examination, cataract grading, A-Scan biometry for IOL power calculation, and BP/sugar clearance.
Hospital Transport
Arranged group transportation bringing elderly patients safely from rural hamlets to M.K. Bhandari Hospital.
Microsurgical IOL
SICS / Phacoemulsification with Foldable IOL implant performed under operating microscopes in laminar-flow OT.
Aftercare & Glasses
Overnight care, meals, antibiotic eye drops, protective UV glasses, and scheduled follow-up visits.
Free Cataract Surgery FAQs
Essential details for patients, family members, and community organizers.
Is the cataract surgery painful? +
No. Cataract surgery is performed under modern local or topical drop anaesthesia. The procedure is painless, takes only 15 to 20 minutes, and patients recover rapidly with improved vision within 24 to 48 hours.
Who is eligible for free surgery? +
Any patient diagnosed with operable cataract during our rural screening camps or at our hospital OPD desk is eligible under the DBCS government partnership. Patients just need to present their Aadhaar card.
What type of lens is implanted? +
We use high-quality US-FDA / CE-approved biocompatible Intraocular Lenses (IOLs). The lens remains permanently inside the eye, replacing the cloudy natural lens and restoring clear focusing power.
