Krishnamachari Srikkanth Named Goodwill Ambassador of VISION 2020 India to Combat Avoidable Blindness

Former Indian cricket captain and renowned batsman Krishnamachari Srikkanth has been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of VISION 2020 India, an initiative aimed at eliminating avoidable blindness in the country. The announcement was made during a special event at Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai, a key partner of the Vision 2020: The Right to Sight-India program.

This initiative seeks to raise awareness, provide medical assistance, and ensure accessible eye care services for individuals suffering from preventable blindness and visual impairment.

The Growing Concern of Blindness in India

Magnitude of the Problem

Blindness remains a critical public health issue in India, affecting millions of people across various age groups. According to a recent press release:

• 4.8 million individuals in India are blind, making it one of the highest numbers in the world.
• Over 70 million people suffer from some form of visual impairment.
• Shockingly, more than 80% of these cases are preventable or treatable with early diagnosis and timely medical intervention.

Causes of Avoidable Blindness

The major causes of avoidable blindness in India include:

• Cataracts – The leading cause of blindness, especially among the elderly.
• Uncorrected refractive errors – Affecting millions who lack access to proper vision correction.
• Glaucoma – Often undiagnosed until it causes irreversible damage.
• Diabetic Retinopathy – A rising concern due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes.
• Vitamin A deficiency – Leading to childhood blindness.

This alarming situation necessitates urgent interventions in the form of preventive eye care, corrective treatments, and widespread awareness campaigns.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s Role as Goodwill Ambassador

Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns

As the Goodwill Ambassador, Srikkanth will:

• Raise awareness about avoidable blindness through media engagements, public events, and digital platforms.
• Encourage early eye check-ups to prevent vision loss.
• Support free eye care programs for underserved communities.
• Promote education on eye health, especially among children and senior citizens.

His active participation is expected to motivate individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers to prioritize eye health.

The Role of VISION 2020 India and Sankara Nethralaya

About VISION 2020 India

VISION 2020: The Right to Sight-India is a collaborative initiative that works towards eliminating avoidable blindness by 2020 and beyond. It aims to:

• Provide free eye check-ups and vision correction services to the underprivileged.
• Conduct cataract surgeries and other necessary treatments for those in need.
• Educate communities about preventive eye care and the importance of regular check-ups.

Sankara Nethralaya’s Contributions

Sankara Nethralaya, a premier eye care institution in India, plays a key role in this mission. Under the leadership of T.S. Surendran, Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, the organization has been at the forefront of ophthalmic care and research.

The presence of Rajesh Saini, President of VISION 2020 India, at the event further reinforced the significance of this initiative in tackling India’s blindness burden.