“Everyday my sight is worse. Let alone doing any work, I can’t even see the faces of my children anymore.” This is how 65-year old P. Gunetunga of Habarana, a tailor by profession, described his ordeal when he attended a John Keells eye camp at which he was diagnosed with advanced stages of cataract in both his eyes.
Gunetunga’s experience is not unique. About 65% of the world’s visually impaired people are aged 50 and older But ¾ of this number is needlessly so – it could have been prevented, treated or cured. This is the focus of World Sight Day (WSD) which falls today (13th October 2011).

Global Facts on visual impairment:

• About 284 million people are visually impaired worldwide: 39 million are blind and 245 have low vision
• 80% of all visual impairment can be avoided or cured
• About 90% of the world’s visually impaired people live in developing countries
• Globally, uncorrected refractive errors are the main cause of visual impairment but in middle and low-income countries cataracts remain the leading cause

Why Cataract Operations? Cataract is recognized as the primary cause of blindness in Sri Lanka. The tragedy is that, in the majority of cases, it is avoidable. Yet, due to ignorance or lack of resources to access timely eye care, most patients risk progressive blindness. With the resultant loss of social and economic independence, the consequences are enormous. With this in mind, John Keells Foundation has been implementing the John Keells Vision Project, which primarily sponsors cataract surgeries across the island. Since its launch in 2004, the Project has touched the lives of over 4300. In addition to sponsorship of cataract surgeries, over 1800 spectacles have also donated to needy individuals including children. The Project is aligned to the World Health Organisation’s “Vision 2020” Project, which aims to eliminate avoidable blindness worldwide by the year 2020.

Project Partners/collaborators – The John Keells Vision Project has been executed via Provincial Hospitals wherever possible. In order to expand its reach across the country, the Foundation has partnered with multiple stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, the International Association of Lions Clubs, HelpAge Sri Lanka and SOMS Inc., in conducting eye clinics in areas which are in need of such services. This Financial Year (as at end September), eye clinics have been held in Helahena in Kegalle; Kahataruppa in Badulla; Panadura; Kilinochchi; Brookside Estate in Nuwara Eliya; Namunukula in Badulla; Neluwa, Agalawatte and Halwitigala in Galle; and Padaviya in Anuradhapura. A highlight of the year was John Keells’ collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Vision 2020 Secretariat of Sri Lanka on a special eye camp conducted on 13th-15th June 2011 at the District General Hospital, Kilinochchi. 227 patients were identified for surgery out of which a record 197 cataract operations were completed on 14th and 15th June itself. Six volunteers represented John Keells.

Volunteers – The John Keells Vision Project is supported by employee volunteers from across the John Keells Group. They enthusiastically commit their time and energy, travelling long distances to provide administrative support, including activities such as interacting with, registering and assisting patients and supporting the medical staff present at the eye clinics. This Financial Year (as at end September) alone, a total of 58 volunteers have participated in eye clinics of the John Keells Vision Project and have shared a tremendous sense of fulfillment in being part of the initiative.

“This was the first time I was a part of an Eye Camp organized by John Keells. It was very well organized and was overall a great experience for me. I felt proud to be a part of an organization that takes initiative to look after the needy in some of the most remote areas of the island. It’s also a great opportunity to meet colleagues from other Business Units and work together for a worthy cause. I would love to help out at any upcoming CSR activity as well,” said Mayumi Brohier, a volunteer from the John Keells Group Company Mack Air Limited (Jet Airways), who participated at the eye clinic held in Padaviya, Anuradhapura.