Vision - A Critical Factor in the Lives of the Poor
Vision is a critical sense faculty for survival among the poor especially those living in harsh physical terrains and engaged in menial daily work. It is very common for blindness due to cataracts to affect many of them at a fairly early age. In the Upper Himalayas, this is often due to lack of visual protection from the strong rays of the sun. In the plains, wherever sanitation and hygiene are lacking, ailments, especially those affecting the body fluids, may also contribute to eye disease. And, of course, poor nutrition and chemical pollution also aggravates the condition.
   The impact of visual impairment and blindness on the lives of the poor is severe. It is evident through the personal histories of cataract patients that many have been reduced to impoverishment and destitution. Families also suffer disintegration particularly in cases where the victim is a mother of growing children.
   Clearly, the Outreach Micro-surgical Clinics for treatment of curable blindness achieve much more than just restoring vision.

Eye Camps for Sight Restoration by Jamgon Kongtrul Labrang 
Stories From the Camps 
Photos From the Camps 

Continues