Whose sight matters? How gender shapes access to eye care in India

From families questioning the value of sight-saving treatment for girls because of concerns about marriage and appearance, to older women who receive treatment later or have poorer access to effective care, gender shapes whose vision is prioritised. File photograph used for representational purposes only | Photo Credit: The Hindu “I remember a patient, a little girl with retinoblastoma,” says Rohit Khanna, a community ophthalmologist and network director from L.V.Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. “We told the family that the child required surgery and that the eyeball would have to be removed for her to survive. We were immediately met with resistance. The father asked, what was the point of her living if she was going to be disfigured. They would not be able to get her married later.” Retinoblastoma is a rare, fast-growing tumour of the eye and is often seen in early childhood. It is a type of cancer, and can lead to death if not treated. Published - October 31, 2026 02:18 pm IST