Bengaluru, 09th October 2025: The Bangalore Diabetes and Eye Hospital (a collaboration of Shraddha Eye Care Trust and Bangalore Diabetic Club) organised a large-scale walkathon on the occasion of World Sight Day. The event brought together hundreds of participants, including eye donors, healthcare professionals, students, volunteers, and members of the local community, all united in the cause of protecting and promoting eye health.
The walkathon was flagged off in front of Vidhana Soudha by Professor Dr. Sri Ganesh, Founder Trustee, Shraddha Eye Care Trust & Chairman and Managing Director of Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital, and Mr. Peeyush Jain, Trustee, Shri VP Gohel memorial trust in the presence of senior members of the medical fraternity and community leaders. The walk concluded at Bangalore Diabetes and Eye Hospital, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar, where participants gathered for a closing session.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh, Founder Trustee, Shraddha Eye Care Trust & Chairman and Managing Director of Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital, highlighted the urgency of the issue. “India has the largest number of patients with eye diseases and also the largest population of people living with blindness in the world. Yet, because these conditions are not life-threatening, they are often neglected or taken less seriously than other illnesses. This neglect comes at a heavy cost, as every year millions lose their vision to diseases that could have been prevented. Regular screening can detect conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataract at a stage when treatment is most effective. As doctors, our duty goes beyond providing treatment. It is about making people aware that their eyesight is precious, and that timely action is the only way to protect it,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Sushmitha Sri Ganesh, Chief Medical Officer- Bangalore Diabetes and Eye Hospital, highlighted the role of collective responsibility in protecting eye health. “Vision is central to how we learn, work and live with confidence. Protecting it requires collective effort — from families encouraging regular check-ups to schools and workplaces fostering awareness about eye health. Lasting change happens when eye care becomes part of everyday conversations and community action. Today’s walkathon is a wonderful reminder that awareness begins with participation.”
Adding his perspective, Mr. Peeyush Jain, Trustee, Shri VP Gohel Memorial Trust, underscored the power of collaboration and long-term commitment. “Healthcare initiatives gain strength when hospitals, NGOs, philanthropists and volunteers work hand in hand. Our responsibility does not end with one day of awareness. It continues in the form of supporting outreach camps, funding surgeries for underprivileged patients and building systems that ensure no one is left behind. Only then can we truly make eye care inclusive and sustainable.”
The World Sight Day Walkathon served as a powerful reminder that early detection and timely treatment remain the most effective tools to combat avoidable blindness. By bringing together people from different walks of life, the event highlighted how public participation and community-driven initiatives can play a pivotal role in putting greater focus on eye health.
This year’s global theme for World Sight Day, “Love Your Eyes,” added further resonance to the initiative by urging individuals to take personal responsibility for their vision health. It underscored the importance of prioritizing regular eye check-ups, while also advocating for systems that make quality eye care accessible, affordable, and available to all sections of society.
As a part of World Sight Day campaign, the hospital is conducting free eye screening till 16th October at their Vasant Nagar and Padmanabha Nagar branches.