Surat doctor brings eye care to villages, performs over 30,000 free surgeries

For some patients, the biggest barrier to saving their eyesight is not the treatment itself. It is reaching a doctor before the condition becomes too serious. In parts of Gujarat, people living in remote villages may delay eye check-ups because of travel costs, limited awareness or difficulty accessing specialists. By the time they reach a hospital, a condition that could have been treated earlier may have already caused lasting damage.This is a problem that Dr Bhavin Patel, a retina specialist in Surat, has spent years trying to address.

Instead of waiting for patients to find their way to a hospital, he has helped build an outreach system that takes eye screening into villages and brings patients who need treatment to Surat. According to figures shared in the original report by The Better India, the initiative has conducted more than 30,000 free surgeries and organises nearly 40 screening camps each month. Behind these numbers is an approach built around one simple idea: eye care must reach people before it is too late.The real problem begins before patients reach a hospitalDr Patel began his medical practice in Surat in 2008, starting with a clinic focused on retinal care.

Over time, he encountered patients whose conditions had worsened because they could not access timely treatment. Some had ignored blurred vision, while others struggled to afford specialist consultations or travel to larger hospitals. For patients with serious retinal conditions, delays can have lasting consequences.The scale of preventable vision loss in India makes early diagnosis particularly important.

A national survey conducted between 2015 and 2019 found that 92.9% of blindness and 97.4% of visual impairment among people aged 50 and above were attributable to avoidable causes. Cataract was responsible for 66.2% of blindness in this age group. The findings, published in PLOS ONE, underline the importance of accessible screening, timely treatment and follow-up care. For Dr Patel, the challenge was not simply to treat more patients.

It was to identify people who needed help before their conditions became more difficult to manage.From village screenings to treatment in SuratThe outreach programme developed around Swami Vivekanand Netra Mandir, the eye hospital Dr Patel established in Surat. The associated non-profit trust was established in 2022, according to its official website. Its approach begins in villages, where local volunteers help identify residents who may need eye examinations.

Screening teams check vision and look for signs of cataracts, retinal disorders and other eye conditions. People who need basic assistance, such as spectacles, can receive support through outreach services. Those who require surgery or specialist treatment are referred to the hospital in Surat. Transport is arranged for eligible patients, helping reduce the difficulties of travelling long distances.The programme also works with local community networks to encourage residents to attend screening camps.

Familiar locations and trusted volunteers can make it easier for people to seek care, especially when they have limited information about eye diseases. According to the reported figures, the team conducts nearly 40 camps each month and around 1,000 free cataract surgeries monthly. The trust's official also lists community screening camps, school eye checks, spectacle distribution, treatment for premature babies with retinopathy of prematurity and vocational training for visually impaired people.When treatment restores more than eyesightThe impact of accessible eye care can extend beyond a medical outcome.

For someone who depends on daily wages, poor vision can make earning a living difficult. For families, caring for a person who has lost their sight may also bring financial pressure and changes to everyday responsibilities. The original report by The Better India described the experience of Nathuram Makwana, a construction worker who lost vision in both eyes following a workplace injury.

When he eventually received treatment, the improvement was limited, but even being able to perceive some light and shadows offered a measure of hope. His experience also encouraged him to advise others not to delay seeking medical help.Another case involved Vihana, a premature baby diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity. Her family had already spent a substantial amount seeking treatment.

After reaching Dr Patel's hospital, she underwent surgery on both eyes. Her father said the treatment brought relief to a family that had feared she might lose her sight. Such stories also highlight an important distinction: treatment cannot always restore vision completely. Outcomes depend on the condition, its severity and how early it is treated. That is why screening and timely referral remain essential.Building independence after vision lossDr Patel's work also addresses what happens when sight cannot be fully restored.

Losing vision can affect a person's confidence, mobility, employment and ability to manage daily tasks independently. The trust's rehabilitation programme offers training in computer use, smartphone skills and mobility. The aim is to help visually impaired people build practical abilities and prepare for work rather than leaving them without support after treatment. This approach reflects a wider understanding of eye care.

Medical treatment may address a condition, but rehabilitation can help people adapt, regain confidence and participate more independently in everyday life.The challenge of preventable blindness remains significant, particularly for people who struggle to reach healthcare services. By combining village screening, hospital treatment and rehabilitation, Dr Patel's initiative seeks to address several stages of that challenge.

Its larger lesson is that healthcare cannot depend entirely on patients finding their way to specialists. Sometimes, the first and most important step is taking care closer to the communities that nee…