Vision screening and eye health care in the Kavre district in Nepal.
In May 2025, the Rotary Club of Castle Hill was approached by the Rotary Club of Dhulikhel in Nepal, seeking our Club’s support for any of 5 detailed Projects. The Board reviewed the proposals and was very enthusiastic to support a project for an Eye Clinic in Nepal. The club voted to support the project if we could obtain a district grant to contribute to the funding. The club submitted a grant application which was successful. The project budget was $5623. The funding model was the Rotary Club of Dhulikhel providing $1253, our Club providing $2185 and the District Grant contributing $2185.
Visual impairment from refractive errors and cataracts are a significant problem in Nepal. This project will conduct comprehensive eye screening for 5000 students from 12 schools in the Kavre District of Nepal. It will provide free spectacles to those students who need them, if their families cannot afford them, and will refer children requiring surgery for cataracts or other ocular conditions for appropriate treatment.
Current Project status:
By November 2025, two school-based eye screening camps had been organised, and a total of 105 students were screened for visual problems and general eye health. Following the screenings, 40 students were referred to Sudristi Eye Care Centre for further evaluation and correction of refractive errors. 18 children were prescribed and provided with corrective power glasses and 10 school staff members received reading glasses as per their prescription.
To enhance awareness of eye health and preventable blindness, 40 copies of stationery books containing information on eye care and vision health were distributed among students. For awareness raising. World Sight Day was observed with a social media awareness campaign, including poster publications highlighting the importance of eye care and prevention of avoidable blindness.
The project is ongoing.
