In many underserved regions across India, children struggle with untreated vision issues that hinder their ability to learn and grow. Without access to routine eye screenings or corrective care, many students fail to recognize their own vision deficits. 

As a result, they fall behind in class, lose interest in learning, and eventually may drop out of school. In areas where healthcare infrastructure is limited or absent, vision care is often overlooked entirely, leaving a critical developmental need unmet.

To tackle this pressing issue, Roche Diagnostics India launched Project Roshni, a comprehensive eye health initiative designed to reach school-aged children in areas with inadequate access to medical services. 

The program aims to deliver essential eye screenings, prescription glasses, and follow-up care to thousands of children, ensuring that vision-related challenges no longer block their academic progress. By focusing on practical and community-based interventions, Project Roshni is working to build a healthier, more equitable future for children across India.

Tackling Barriers in Children's Eye Health

For children in low-resource communities, poor vision often goes unnoticed and untreated. Most families lack awareness about eye health, and children, especially younger ones, may not realize they have a problem. 

Without scheduled medical checkups or access to specialists, these vision issues remain invisible until they start to affect school performance. Children unable to see the blackboard, read textbooks, or participate in class activities may become disengaged, frustrated, or labeled as inattentive or underperforming.

The absence of proper pediatric eye care services in these communities creates a cycle where students fall behind academically and lose confidence in their abilities. Over time, this academic decline can result in students dropping out of school altogether, limiting their future opportunities and deepening existing social and economic inequalities.

Project Roshni intervenes directly at this critical juncture. By conducting in-school eye screenings and delivering timely interventions, the initiative ensures that children receive the care they need before long-term damage sets in. These efforts are not just about eyesight—they’re about preserving the child’s right to learn, grow, and succeed.

Strategic Collaboration with VisionSpring Foundation

To effectively carry out this large-scale initiative, Roche Diagnostics India partnered with the VisionSpring Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to affordable eye care. This collaboration has played a pivotal role in amplifying the reach and impact of Project Roshni.

Together, the two organizations have developed a cost-effective and replicable model of service delivery. VisionSpring brings deep on-ground experience, including trained personnel and operational frameworks tailored for low-resource settings. 

Roche Diagnostics contributes technical knowledge, logistical support, and strategic direction. This joint effort ensures that children are not only screened but also provided with prescription glasses and follow-up support where needed.

By aligning their strengths, the partners are building a sustainable system that benefits not only children but also the broader community. They are setting a new benchmark for how public-private partnerships can address longstanding health issues in an inclusive and impactful manner.

Modernizing Eye Health Practices in Resource-Challenged Communities

Access to specialized eye care facilities remains a major challenge in India, particularly in remote and rural areas. Hospitals and clinics are often located far from these communities, making regular visits logistically and financially difficult for families. In this context, Project Roshni’s decentralized approach becomes a game-changer.

Instead of relying on traditional healthcare settings, the program brings services directly to schools and community centers. Mobile screening units, staffed by trained personnel, are equipped to conduct basic eye exams and identify children who need further care. For those diagnosed with vision issues, prescription glasses are provided at no cost. In cases that require more advanced care, children are referred to the nearest available specialists.

What sets this model apart is its emphasis on simplicity, speed, and affordability. Solutions are designed to be easy to deploy and sustain within existing community structures. Additionally, the program trains educators and local healthcare workers to identify early signs of vision problems, ensuring continuous support even after the initial screening.

This modern, community-based approach is proving to be both scalable and sustainable, offering a blueprint for addressing pediatric eye health challenges across the country.

Enhancing Eye Health Awareness and Implementation

A crucial component of Project Roshni is the emphasis on education and awareness. In many underserved communities, misconceptions about eye care are widespread, and eye health is not seen as a priority. To address this, the program conducts community training sessions and awareness drives designed to improve knowledge around the importance of early detection and regular checkups.

Training modules are provided for school teachers and healthcare workers, enabling them to play an active role in identifying and responding to children’s vision needs. These efforts ensure that the eye care process is embedded into the school ecosystem, encouraging regular and proactive participation from educators and parents alike.

By equipping local stakeholders with the knowledge and tools they need, Project Roshni is laying the groundwork for lasting change. Eye health becomes part of the community’s routine, rather than an external or one-time intervention. This approach not only improves outcomes for individual children but also strengthens the overall health resilience of the community.

Impact Created

Since its launch, Project Roshni has screened over 5,000 schoolchildren in underserved regions across India. This milestone marks more than just numbers—it reflects real change in the lives of thousands of children who now have the clarity to see their classrooms, engage with their studies, and build confidence in their learning journey.

Families have reported noticeable improvements in their children’s academic performance and attention spans. With better vision, children are more enthusiastic in school and less likely to miss classes. In communities that once struggled with high dropout rates, teachers are seeing better attendance and active participation in the classroom.

In addition to educational outcomes, the program has also improved day-to-day life for many families. Parents now understand the importance of eye health and are more likely to seek timely care for their children. The initiative has created a ripple effect, fostering healthier habits and a stronger trust in healthcare systems.

Most importantly, Project Roshni has created a model of empowerment. Children are not only receiving medical attention—they’re learning how to care for their eyes, advocate for their health, and continue their education with confidence.

Way Forward

With its current success, Project Roshni is poised for expansion. The initiative now plans to scale its reach to more rural, tribal, and hard-to-access regions, where the need for pediatric eye care is even more urgent. The next phase will focus on strengthening partnerships with local schools, medical professionals, and community organizations to ensure smooth implementation and follow-up.

One of the key goals is to integrate vision care into existing child welfare programs. By combining eye screenings with nutrition, school health initiatives, and educational wellness programs, the initiative aims to take a holistic approach to child development. This cross-functional integration will help reduce the educational dropout rate caused by preventable vision problems and improve overall child health outcomes.

Future efforts will also prioritize early detection and continuous care. Regular screenings, timely interventions, and community-based follow-up systems will become the norm rather than the exception. The initiative will evolve to adapt to the changing needs of children and communities, ensuring long-term impact and sustainable growth.

Project Roshni’s journey demonstrates how a focused, practical initiative can transform not just health but the entire trajectory of a child’s life. By placing vision care at the heart of educational support, the program is helping children in underserved areas see a clearer and brighter future—literally and figuratively.