India

I n 1976, with Seva’s help, retired ophthalmologist Dr. Venkataswamy (Dr. V) established Aravind Eye Care System by turning his former home in Madurai, India into an 11-bed hospital. 

Two years later, Dr. V became one of our co-founders joining an eclectic group of scientists, peace activists, and spiritual leaders who wanted to eradicate needless blindness and visual impairment for all. 

Aravind’s innovative financial structure allows fees from paying patients to subsidise services for patients who cannot afford care. This inventive cross-funding model is the standard in all Seva-supported programs in South Asia, and the goal for all programs elsewhere.

LAICO

Aravind’s training arm, the Lions Aravind Institute for Community Ophthalmology (LAICO), is a vital training and consulting resource to our partners worldwide. LAICO’s services cover the entire range of population-oriented eye care from architecture and administration to all clinical services and equipment maintenance. Many of our partners have created local training institutes modelled on LAICO. We also collaborate with Aravind on epidemiologic and community-based research. 

Aurolab

In 1992, Aravind and Seva noted the need for high-quality, affordable sutures and intraocular lenses (the artificial lens that replaces the eye’s natural lens removed during cataract surgery). Through research and development of manufacturing technologies, and funding from Seva and the Canadian International Development Agency (known today as Global Affairs Canada), Aravind established Aurolab. Aurolab has revolutionised eye care delivery in many low- and middle-income countries by making affordable cataract surgery supplies so that everyone, regardless of their income, receives the same high-quality care.