India and Nepal
Cataracts are the most common cause of curable blindness. However, in poor, remote and rural communities, due to lack of awareness and eye care facilities, the disease is often not caught in time and partial sightedness and blindness result. A blind person in poor communities is severely handicapped and the condition is a heavy toll on the individual and the family. It is evident that more than just the restoration of sight is achieved through the Outreach Program. Individuals who have been driven to destitution regain their dignity. Some rejoin the work force. Families that fall apart due to a visually impaired parent, especially a single mother of growing children, reunite and enjoy a new lease on life together.
The Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche shared the humanitarian ideals of the eminent ophthalmologist, Dr. Sanduk Ruit, to combat treatable blindness in poor, remote and rural areas of India and Nepal. Inspired by his wish, the Jamgon Kongtrul Labrang began annual outreach cataract progam in 1993 in technical collaboration with Nepal’s Tilganga Eye Centre. By the end of 2011, many thousands of patients had been screened and received treatment of cataract surgeries and intra-ocular implants.
28th annual Cataract Clinic May 7 to 10. 3,650 screened, 348 suffering from cataract had surgeries and intra-ocular lens implants in Pullahari Monastery in Nepal.
