Around the world, 90% of blind individuals cannot work. This situation is even more severe in impoverished countries where 50% of blind people experience a loss in social standing and are alienated from their communities. India is home to 40% of the world’s blind, most of whom belong to low-income rural households. For them, one visit to the ophthalmologist costs 9 days of daily wage and more than a month’s savings.

ERC provides affordable and quality eye care services to low-income households in rural India. Their mobile units reach remote villages, where their optometrists provide basic eye check-ups and sell glasses to correct low-vision cases. The services are affordable due to ERC’s partnerships with optical-instrument manufacturers. Patients who need further examination are referred to ERC’s Hub Hospitals for full treatment, where transportation and hospitalization costs are determined on what the individual can realistically afford.