Nellore Free Eye Camps Give Sight to 125 People Needing Surgery

Nearly 1,000 people got free eye checks in Nellore. 125 people will get free cataract surgery, which is a big help for rural areas.
By Newsroom | Health, India |

Rural Reach for Vision Procedures

==Nearly 1,000 individuals received eye examinations at a recent free eye screening camp held in Nidiguntapadu village, Nellore district. Of these, 125 patients were identified for cataract surgeries. The initiative, organized by the Dr Prem Reddy Foundation in partnership with Shankara Nethralaya, aimed to bring specialized eye care to rural populations. Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, a Member of Parliament, attended the camp, highlighting the foundation's social service efforts and encouraging local residents to utilize such medical opportunities.==

Further efforts to extend eye care to underserved areas include the launch of the ‘VPR Nethra’ initiative. This program, spearheaded by TDP MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, intends to conduct eye camps across remote villages in the Nellore district. The initiative is backed by a ₹3 crore investment to outfit a bus as a mobile eye clinic. This mobile unit is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment tools, including a lensometer, vision LED chart, AR machine, and lens cutting and grinding machines, alongside a stock of 15 brands of spectacles. The stated goal is to screen, diagnose, and treat eye disorders among the impoverished, providing free spectacles on the spot.

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Free Eye Camp Screens Nearly 1,000 in Nellore - 1

Diverse Initiatives Target Underserved Eyes

Several organizations and trusts are engaged in similar outreach programs. The Chaganam Lalithamma Bhaskara Rao Memorial Trust, with support from Sri Venkateswara Aravind Eye Hospital, organized a camp in Buchireddypalem. This event led to 20 patients being referred for cataract surgery and provided 85 individuals with free spectacles. Other patients received necessary medicines and medical services.

Separately, Shankara Nethralaya's Mobile Eye Surgical Unit (MESU) has been actively conducting eye camps under its 'Adopt-A-Village' initiative. Reports indicate numerous successful camps, providing critical eye care to rural communities. One such camp, reported on June 15, 2025, saw 887 people from the Vinjamur area tested, with 188 selected for free eye surgeries performed in mobile operating theaters. This camp was facilitated with support from the Segu family and local political figures.

Free Eye Camp Screens Nearly 1,000 in Nellore - 2

Underlying Issues of Access

While these camps offer immediate aid, underlying issues of accessibility and affordability persist. Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy noted the "stark urban-rural divide in access" to eye care facilities and professionals. He also pointed out that even where services exist, they are "often underutilized due to financial constraints, lack of awareness, and poor follow-up."

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The Pabolu Ogirala and Sriram Charitable Trust-Modern Eye Hospital and Research Centre echoes this sentiment, stating that despite a commitment to making "quality eye care services affordable and accessible," the reality for many is that "affordability and accessibility…is a far cry from what is needed." They seek philanthropic support to bridge this gap, with surgeries typically conducted at their base hospital, providing pre- and post-operative care, food, and transportation free of charge.

  • 'Rural eye care'

  • 'Cataract surgery'

  • 'Free spectacles'

  • 'Mobile eye clinic'

  • 'Healthcare access'

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many people got free eye checks at the Nellore camp?
Nearly 1,000 people received free eye exams at a camp in Nidiguntapadu village, Nellore. 125 of them were found to need cataract surgery.
Q: What is the new 'VPR Nethra' initiative?
The 'VPR Nethra' initiative will use a special bus as a mobile eye clinic. It has tools to check and treat eyes and will visit remote villages in Nellore to help poor people with eye problems and give them free glasses.
Q: Did other camps also help people in Nellore?
Yes, another camp in Buchireddypalem helped 20 people get ready for cataract surgery and gave 85 people free glasses. A camp in Vinjamur on June 15, 2025, tested 887 people and selected 188 for free eye surgeries.
Q: Why is it hard for some people to get eye care in rural areas?
It's hard because eye doctors and hospitals are far away in cities. Many people cannot afford the costs, do not know about the services, or cannot go back for follow-up visits.
Q: How much money is being spent on the new mobile eye clinic?
The 'VPR Nethra' initiative is spending ₹3 crore to make a bus into a mobile eye clinic with special tools and glasses.
Q: What do some trusts say about eye care access?
Trusts like the Pabolu Ogirala and Sriram Charitable Trust say that even though they try to make eye care cheap and easy to get, it is still very difficult for many poor people to access it.