The Challenge
India faces an alarming vision crisis, with over 40 million people suffering from blindness or visual impairment. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted that the majority of these cases stem from rural communities, where access to eye care remains minimal.
In the remote Himalayan regions, specifically in Ladakh, high altitude, tough terrain and exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) rays leads to UV-related eye problems such as cataract and pterygium are common, even in the younger population.
Many of these diseases, such as corneal thickness and dry-eye syndrome – including uncorrected refractive errors can be prevented with timely medical intervention.
The Solution
Since 2009, Live to Love International has been working on-ground to restore vision across the Himalayas. From Kathmandu to Nubra Valley, Changtang to Kargil, we have provided cataract surgery at no cost to patients who are at risk from permanent blindness. But we don’t stop at treatment – we believe in prevention through education and awareness.
Over the last two decades, we have hosted 12 eye camps and screened and educated 22,000 individuals, ensuring that communities understand the importance of proactive eye care.
To date we have restored the sight of 3,000 people giving them another chance at life. Along with international partners such as Tilganga Institute of Opthalmology, Shades of Love and the Fred Hollows Foundation, we have also established a state-of-the art manufacturing facility for intraocular lenses, ensuring sustainable solutions for years to come.
The Next Chapter
Live to Love is gearing up for its 13th eye camp in Keylong, an isolated district nestled with the challenging terrain of Lahaul and Spiti, Himachel Pradesh. The region’s high altitude and extreme weather conditions pose significant challenges, particularly for its tribal communities, whose traditional fire mechanisms often contributr to complex eye care issues.
Through strategic partnerships with on-ground organisations and renowned opthalmologists like Tilganga Institute of Opthalmology our mission is bigger than ever.
Our Goal
With each eye camp, we take another step toward eliminating preventable blindness and supporting Himalayan communities with access to essential eye care.