United Way of Bengaluru (UWBe) and Sankara Eye Hospital Eye Care Initiative

Eye care is one of the challenges that India is facing in the 21st century. 25% of the world’s blind population is in India, 1.4 million children below the age of 15 are blind and females are at a higher risk of being visually impaired than males (source Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore).


Mr. Vivek Nagarkatti, Chairman of UWBe Board inaugurating the Walkathon along with Anil Kumble, Pankaj Advani, Ashish Ballal and Ashwini Nacchappa

UWBe organized a Walkathon to raise funds to support cataract operations of 1000 patients including children. Eminent sports personalities Anil Kumble, Pankaj Advani, Ashish Ballal, Ashwini Nacchappa, and Charu Sharma - along with about 800 other enthusiasts - walked around the city’s Cubbon Park on Sunday, March 7th, 2009 at 7.15 am to raise awareness for the cause.


A brisk morning walk for a Cause

Nearly 8,000 people of all age-groups – from over 55 companies – spontaneously contributed to the cause. The walk was an expression of solidarity with those suffering from “needless blindness,” merely due to a lack of financial means.


Eye scanning of people with Cataract problem at Sankara Eye Hospital

Sankara eye hospital under its “Gift of Vision” initiative with the resources generated through Walkathon conducted 21 camps in 7 districts around Bangalore city. The camps began on April 1st 2009 and concluded on May 12th 2009. 2945 people were screened in the camps for cataract - 82 children, 1244 women and 1619 men.

Cataract is an amplification of Lens in the Eye which is characterized by the symptom of blurring of Vision. The normal crystalline lens of our eye is a transparent structure, any occurrence of opacity in the lens or its capsule whether developmental or acquired is called cataract.


A group of beneficiaries

Among the total number of people screened, 1007 were identified to undergo surgeries. This included 9 people (7 men and 2 female) for ECCE , in lay mans language, it is Cataract detected and removed at an early stage and 998 for IOL (5 children, 477 female and 516 men). IOL treatment is required for the patient in the advance stage when the person becomes almost blind without any visibility.

ECCE is a 6.5mm opening made to remove cataract and very small stitches are needed to close it.
Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) is an artificial lens used to replace the Cataractous Lens


HP Volunteers at the Walkathon

A Walkathon on a fine Sunday morning at Cubbon Park in Bangalore and some amount of awareness about the issue of vision with the support of well known people, companies, volunteers and individuals generated almost enough resources to bring back light in the lives of 1007 people.


Board members of UWBe along with Anil Kumble, Pankaj Advani, Ashish Ballal and Ashwini Nacchappa

A small initiative from our end has brought a measurable and sustainable impact in our community that brightened lives of thousand plus people.


Qwest Telecom Volunteers at the Walkathon

Our partners in this initiative are as follows:

Many individuals supported UWBe in this initiative but do not wish to have their names mentioned.

UWBe earnestly thank all its partners in this initiative.

Team
United Way of Bengaluru