Entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist Tej Kohli, in collaboration with renowned ophthalmologist Sanduk Ruit, MD, aims to revolutionize eye care and eradicate cataract blindness for one million people by 2030. Through the Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation, they have already restored sight to over 48,000 individuals, with a focus on those living in extreme poverty.
Cataract-induced blindness affects a staggering 100 million people worldwide, according to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. Alarmingly, there are approximately 5 million new cases of cataract each year. The majority of those suffering from untreated cataract blindness, especially in low-income regions, reside in remote areas with limited access to high-quality medical care.
The consequences of blindness are severe, exacerbating poverty in affected regions. Individuals with visual impairments face significant challenges in earning a living, leading to a decrease in household income and a deeper cycle of poverty. However, research published in The Lancet emphasizes that treating cataract blindness can enhance a person’s economic output by up to 1500% of the surgical costs within a single year.
While most cataracts are treatable, many people lack access to affordable care. Tej Kohli highlights the importance of comprehensive grassroots interventions and a robust eye care infrastructure in mitigating poverty and uplifting communities. He believes that millions endure blindness when a simple ten-minute surgical procedure could restore their sight.
Tej Kohli has been dedicated to advancing eye health in underprivileged countries for years. He previously funded corneal transplant operations in India and subsequently founded the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute in Hyderabad in 2015. Through this institute, he collaborated with the World Health Organization to research preventive medicines and provide complimentary corneal transplants.
In 2021, Tej Kohli partnered with Dr. Ruit to establish the Tej Kohli and Ruit Foundation. Their mission is to combat needless blindness by closing the treatment gap in the world’s poorest communities through direct interventions that empower individuals and communities.
Under the foundation’s banner, Tej Kohli and Dr. Ruit utilize three cost-effective innovations to perform free cataract surgeries on a large scale. The first innovation is Dr. Ruit’s surgical technique called scrotching, which allows for cataract surgeries to be completed in as little as 7 minutes. The second innovation is the development of an affordable intraocular lens that replaces the eye’s natural lens removed during cataract surgery. This lens is produced in a facility established by Dr. Ruit and expanded through Tej Kohli’s business acumen and philanthropy. The third innovation is the lens manufacturing processes they’ve developed, which have dramatically reduced the cost per lens from $500 to just $5.
The Tej Kohli and Ruit Foundation organizes microsurgical outreach camps in remote regions with a high prevalence of severe visual impairments. Through partnerships with governments, hospitals, and eye care centers, they have conducted over 105 camps in Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Ghana. Surgeons perform 300 to 600 free cataract surgeries at these camps daily, with an average cost per person of around $70.
Following the surgeries, patients receive postoperative care, including observations, accommodations, meals, and education on medications. Local hospital partners provide check-ups at regular intervals, and the foundation conducts follow-up assessments six to twelve months post-surgery to evaluate the long-term impact on patients’ quality of life.
Tej Kohli believes it is the responsibility of philanthropists to address seemingly insurmountable global issues. Since its inception, the Tej Kohli and Ruit Foundation has transformed the lives of over 48,000 individuals and conducted screenings for over 340,000 people. By 2030, they aspire to end cataract blindness for 1 million people, aligning with international goals to eradicate extreme poverty and ensure accessible and affordable eye care for all.
Looking ahead, Tej Kohli plans to increase the production capacity of the intraocular lens factory, further reducing treatment costs globally. By developing a self-sustaining model to counter cataract blindness, he aims to make a significant impact in alleviating extreme poverty.
Tej Kohli’s commitment to innovative philanthropy at scale is commendable. In a world where philanthropy is not always the norm, his efforts stand out, making a profound difference in the lives of those affected by cataract-induced blindness.
