CSR Project to Expand Vision Care in NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Blocks

The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, one of the largest global foundations dedicated to expanding inclusive access to vision care, has partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to accelerate the delivery of vision services in NITI Aayog’s aspirational blocks, supporting WHO’s global SPECS 2030 target to increase effective refractive error coverage by 40% by 2030.

The partnership will document, adapt, and scale Karnataka’s successful ASHA Kirana program, an integrated approach that embeds eye health services within primary healthcare systems. Developed by the Government of Karnataka with the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation as its technical partner, this model has proven effective in providing universal coverage, even in rural and hard-to-reach areas. As technical partner, the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation designed the door-to-door screening process, trained ASHA (community health) workers, ensured the quality and affordability of spectacles provided, and piloted two vision centers in government hospitals.

Earlier this year, Karnataka committed to expanding the program statewide by setting up 393 new vision centers in government health facilities and training 40,000 ASHA workers to serve all 63 million people in the state. Recognized by both the WHO and the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) as a national reference model, ASHA Kirana is now guiding integrated vision care in other states across India.

Talking about this partnership, Anurag Hans, Head of Mission at EssilorLuxottica and President of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, said, “Karnataka’s ASHA Kirana program is proof that comprehensive eye care can be delivered at scale when you have the right partnerships in place. We’ve learned that long-term impact requires deep technical collaboration with government systems. Now we’re ready to take these learnings nationwide, working state by state to build permanent capacity that will serve these communities for decades to come.”

Dr Roderico Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, commented: “This partnership demonstrates how locally-led innovations can advance global health priorities. By strengthening primary eye care and community-based delivery in India’s aspirational blocks, this initiative will provide valuable insights for improving access and equity in eye health. The learnings from this collaboration will inform and complement efforts like SPECS 2030 in diverse settings worldwide, supporting countries to accelerate progress towards integrated people-centered eye care in a sustainable and context-appropriate way.”

Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka said, “The Government of Karnataka remains committed to delivering quality healthcare services at the doorstep of every citizen. The ASHA Kirana program is a key initiative designed to extend eye health services to the grassroots level. As part of this effort, 393 vision centers have been established across the state, providing sustainable and accessible eye care to communities. We are proud that the World Health Organization has recognized the ASHA Kirana model and expressed interest in documenting it for potential replication in other states and countries.”

For communities in aspirational blocks, vision impairment creates significant barriers to participating fully in social and economic life – limiting access to education, healthcare services, and livelihood opportunities. The partnership addresses these challenges by integrating eye health services into existing primary healthcare systems, strengthening health infrastructure while expanding opportunities for India’s most underserved populations.

Implementation will begin with pilots in five aspirational blocks identified by NITI Aayog, where the ASHA Kirana model will be adapted to local health systems and community needs. These pilots will generate the evidence, tools, and policy guidance needed for scale-up across other states with a high burden of uncorrected refractive errors.

By embedding eye health into India’s primary healthcare system, the partnership will strengthen existing health infrastructure, build long-term capacity, and expand opportunities for underserved communities. In doing so, it contributes directly to WHO’s SPECS 2030 target on effective refractive error coverage and supports India’s wider commitment to universal health coverage.

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