This deficiency is most prevalent in developing countries in Africa and South-East Asia where it causes severe visual impairment and blindness in children. One such afflicted country is India. According to a study in Annals of Human Biology, nearly half of the micronutrient-deficient population is found in India.

VAD may begin with symptoms such as night-blindness or Xerophthalmia, a condition in which the eye fails to produce tears. After a prolonged deficiency of Vitamin A, complete blindness will occur and severe infections are likely. The World Health Organization estimates that one third of children under five are affected by VAD globally.

Several organizations around the world are working extensively to eliminate the prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. The Eye Foundation of America is one such organization. Dr. V.K. Raju founded the organization in an attempt to offer eye-care in areas lacking such necessities. As the widespread need for eye-care became more apparent, Dr. Raju’s vision grew. From that vision the Eye Foundation of America was created.

Today the EFA works to find ways to distribute Vitamin A more efficiently and eliminate preventable blindness in developing countries. Dr. Raju and his colleagues and staff dedicate a great deal of their time to this cause. Donate today at the EFA website and help this incredible cause.

Minister for Fisheries P. Viswaroop launching “Chinnari-Choopu Samrakshana” program at a school in Amalapuram on Monday

A three-phase program that will aim at identifying children with visual defects with the help of about 7,000 education teachers and vidya volunteers across the State will begin on November, 27, 2012. The program, which as been named ‘Chinnari choopu – Samrakshna’ or “Right to Sight“, hopes to eliminate the treatable causes of visual impairment and blindness among 80 lakh children of government schools in the State.

The program will dominately take place at the Goutami Eye Institute in Rajahmundry, which was founded and built in 2007 with collaboration and funding from the Eye Foundation of America. The EFA will also be providing necessary tool-kits for the surgeries and volunteers from the EFA will be performing surgeries.

(Read more)

This year, Dr. Raju was awarded a gold medal from the Indian Academy of Medical Sciences in Jaipur, India. Dr. Raju gave an oration in Jaipur where he spoke of the history of Indian medicine, the Eye Foundation of America, and the importance of the globalization of medicine. To read Dr. Raju's full speech, click here.

Dr. V.K. Raju attended the unveiling of a statue of Gandhi in southern Florida on Tuesday evening. The ceremony marked the 143rd birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

(Learn more about the ceremony here)

“It was a wonderful function and there were great lectures about peace in the world,” said Dr. Raju

While Dr. Raju has dedicated much of his life to The Eye Foundation of America, he has many other passions as well. Promoting and spreading peace is one of those passions.

(Read more)

Dr. V.K. Raju speaks to supporters at the anniversary celebration.

Goutami Eye Institute and the Eye Foundation of America (EFA) recently celebrated the 6th anniversary of service in Rajahmundry, India. The gathering was held during a recent visit from co-founder, Dr. V.K. Raju and was organized by supporters of the eye institute which was founded in 2005. Goutami Eye Institute is committed to service, training and education in eye care. During this short period of six years, the institute has trained ophthalmologist from 15+ countries.

The EFA finds a large importance in education and training. Through the Goutami Eye Institute, workshops and other programs are available to physicians, technicians and other medical supportive staff. At this moment, physicians from Afghanistan and China are being trained at Goutami.

The EFA has dedicated a wing of Goutami exclusively to children and their needs, focusing on ridding children of avoidable blindness. Dr. Raju and the EFA are thrilled about the progress that Goutami Eye Institute has made since its inception.

The EFA is especially grateful to Dr. MVSS Murthi, President Gitam University for his patronage.