Begum is a 90-year-old woman whose life has spanned decades of change and challenges. She lives in the quiet village of Sholamur with her doting son and daughter-in-law. Despite being elderly, she has always maintained a quiet sense of independence, relying on herself as much as possible.

However, as time passed by, her vision decreased. Objects became blurry and the faces of her loved ones faded into shadows. Her family noticed the change and urged her to see an eye specialist, but Begum was hesitant. At an eye awareness and screening Camp held in the village by the Department of Ophthalmology’s outreach team, her daughter-in-law heard about the adverse effects of not caring for failing eyesight like Begum’s. She gently persuaded Begum to agree to have her eyes checked.

Begum needed cataract surgeries in both eyes. She had lost almost 80% of her vision by now. She was able to have both of her eyes operated on for free at CMC’s eye hospital. The surgeries were a success and for the first time in months, Begum could see the faces of her son and daughter-in-law with clarity. Today, her family is grateful for the timely care and to see Begum back on her feet, independent again.

The celebrations of 125 years of CMC Vellore continues into the month of April with four eye awareness and screening camps scheduled.

You can be a part of the celebrations with your support towards the health camps in the rural and urban poor in our community. Each camp costs ₹75,000 and will cover costs of tests and spectacles given during the camp. Donate and help make an impact for the rural community through these outreach camps.