Could a simple eye test really boost India’s economy by Rs 3.6 lakh crore?

On World Sight Day, a report released by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), Seva Foundation, and Fred Hollows Foundation has revealed that an annual investment of ₹22,100 crore in basic eye health services could unlock economic gains worth ₹3.6 lakh crore for India.

Titled “The Value of Vision”, the report highlights that simple, low-cost interventions such as regular eye tests in schools and the distribution of reading glasses could yield a return of ₹16 for every rupee invested. The findings were presented at a high-level meeting during the United Nations General Assembly last month, hosted by IAPB and the UN Friends of Vision Group.

According to the data, improved eye healthcare delivery could generate over ₹3.6 lakh crore in annual benefits for India, with ₹2.27 lakh crore attributed to increased occupational productivity, ₹78,700 crore to higher employment levels, and ₹40,800 crore to reduced caregiving demands. Additionally, gains in education would equate to approximately 9,60,000 extra years of schooling.

The report identifies six key priorities for governments: early detection through community vision screenings, immediate provision of reading glasses where needed, expanding the eye health workforce, improving surgical productivity and quality, removing barriers such as cost and distance, and enhancing cataract surgery outcomes through innovative training and technology.

Currently, around 70 crore people in India live with preventable sight loss, the report noted. The economic and personal consequences of untreated vision impairment include unemployment, reduced income, educational challenges, and an increased burden of caregiving — often shouldered by women — as well as higher risks of mental ill health and injury.

Elizabeth Kurian, chief functionary and trustee of Mission for Vision, India, said, “Nearly one billion people live daily with avoidable sight loss, especially in low- and middle-income countries, limiting their productivity and potential. Investing in vision is not just charity; it is smart economics.”

She added that, “If we are serious about sustaining growth and equity, eye health must move from “the margins to the mainstream” of national policy. India’s National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment is a great example of the innovation, financing, and commitment that this landmark case for investment into eye health is calling for."

Peter Holland, CEO of IAPB, emphasised that sight loss is a universal issue affecting every aspect of life, noting that most cases are preventable with accessible solutions like eye tests, glasses, and improved cataract care.

“This World Sight Day, we urge everyone — from governments and businesses to schools and families — to make eye health a priority. The evidence is clear: by investing in vision, we invest in our future,” Holland said.

The report ultimately calls for a nationwide commitment to vision care, stressing that routine eye checks remain among the simplest and most effective ways to protect sight and economic productivity alike.
(With PTI inputs)