The Sight First Committee Chairman Lion Harshad Mehta, under auspices of Lion Juhu Smt. Mohandai Oswal Eye Care Foundation, continues fight to prevent blindness, restore eyesight & improve eye care for hundreds that dwell in darkness.

Summery of of the Free Eye Checkup & Cataract Detection / Surgery Camps organized so far in the current Lionastic year are as under:

Eye Camp 2011-12

Vision & Sight Restoration

Congenital cataract surgery is expensive but it is priceless as it gives vision for lifetime

Lions Club of Juhu is carrying out annually 20 – 25 Eye Check up and Cataract Detection and Surgery Camps in association with Vasai Blind Relief Association (VBRA). One such camp was organized on 26th February, 2012 at Wada with the assistance of Prajapita Brahmakumaris of Wada centre. 299 people mainly from Backward and Adivasi area of Thane District were checked. The medical team from VBRA screened the people for cataract and other eye conditions including refractory errors. 101 persons were detected with Cataract of which 2 tribal children had Congenital Cataract in both the eyes. These two children Hritik and Roshan are twins aged 11 months and malnourished, born to very young uneducated Adivasi Parents.

The parents were motivated by the medical team of VBRA for further management of Congenital Cataract condition. The young parents of Hritik and Roshan came to VBRA for further investigations and surgery. Dr. Sagar Kharosekar, Ophthalmologist, specialized in Squint Surgery came forward to take the responsibility of the corrective surgery of the twins. Special cutters required for paediatric eye surgery and also Acrylic Foldable lens were procured.

These children were operated in one eye by Dr. Sagar. With the grace of God, the surgery was successful. On examination it was revealed that children were responding to the light reflex and very happy. They saw light of the day and their parents for the first time in their life.

The team of Lions Club of Juhu headed by Eye Care Committee Chairman Lion Harshad Mehta with Lion Sudhir N. Shah and Lion Mahendra C. Kothari visited the hospital and after seeing the progress of the children congratulated Dr. Sagar, Mr. Vijay Desai, Managing Trustee, Dr.Narvekar, Medical Advisor, Mr. Vartak and hospital staff for undertaking successful Congenital Cataract surgery of the twins. The surgery of the other eye of the twins was carried out successfully after the reviewing the progress of the first eye. This has given them the most precious gift of their lives… the Gift of Vision.

As far as we remember, this is for the first time in the history of Lions Club of Juhu that Surgery is performed on such small children who were born blind due to cataract, restoring complete vision.

This special Surgery is quite expensive. For instance, the disposable Paediatric Surgical cutter cost Rs.6,000/- each per eye for which Lion Mahendra Kothari, Lion Rajendra Saraiya & Lion Kaushik Shah spontaneously donated Rs.6,000.00 each.