Thu Mar 06 08:50:14 UTC 2025: ## Zeiss and Karnataka Government Launch Major Eye Care Initiative
**Bengaluru, March 6, 2025** – ZEISS India and the Karnataka government have partnered to launch “Vidya Drishti,” a two-year eye care campaign aimed at improving vision health in rural areas. The initiative will initially focus on Kalaburagi district, screening over 532,000 school children aged 5-16 for vision problems and providing prescription glasses where needed. An additional 600,000 underprivileged adults over 39 will also receive screenings.
The program, executed by ZEISS’s social arm Aloka Vision, is a pilot project for India. Depending on its success, it may be expanded to other districts in Karnataka and potentially other states. Aloka Foundation has already conducted eye screenings for over 3.5 million people nationwide through previous campaigns.
Karnataka’s IT, BT, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, Priyank Kharge, highlighted the urgent need to address the lack of quality eye care in rural areas. He emphasized the importance of clear vision for a child’s education and overall development, stating that it’s a right, not a privilege. The Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, reiterated the state’s commitment to eliminating preventable blindness and ensuring accessible eye care, noting the complementary nature of this initiative with existing programs like Asha Kirana.
Miguel Gonzalex Diaz, Managing Director of Carl Zeiss India, stated the company’s aim is to positively impact the lives of children through this essential vision care support. Dhaval Radia, Chief Financial Officer, Carl Zeiss India, confirmed the Kalaburagi project as the pilot, with future expansion dependent on its results and further needs assessments.
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