Maharashtra Signs MoU to Provide Free Eye Tests and Glasses to 20 Lakh Students

The Maharashtra government has launched a statewide initiative in Mumbai to conduct free eye examinations for approximately 20 lakh school students and provide prescription spectacles to children diagnosed with vision problems.

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the state government, Ratnanidhi Charitable Trust, and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation to implement the health programme across Maharashtra. The agreement was formalised in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The initiative is designed to cover students studying in Classes 5 to 10 in government schools throughout the state. The School Education Department will oversee the overall implementation of the initiative, with Ratnanidhi Charitable Trust serving as the operational implementation partner. The OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation will provide technical support to assist the programme.

Under the initiative, specialised eye-screening camps will be organised across Maharashtra to identify students suffering from refractive errors and other vision-related problems. Students diagnosed as requiring spectacles will be provided with custom prescription glasses completely free of cost.

The signed MoU will remain valid for a duration of 36 months, during which eye examinations will be rolled out in a phased manner. The progress of the programme will be monitored through regular quarterly reports detailing the number of camps organised, total students screened, beneficiaries identified, and spectacles distributed.

The project will also establish a systematic mechanism for collecting eye-health data using scientific methods. The agreement explicitly includes provisions to protect students’ personal information and maintain strict confidentiality regarding all health-related data.

Officials noted that the initiative expands upon work undertaken since 2019 to improve eye health among schoolchildren. Under prior phases, more than 6.8 lakh students from 800 schools across 18 districts underwent eye examinations, leading to the distribution of more than 63,000 spectacles.

The state government expects the expanded programme to help detect vision problems at an early stage and ensure timely medical intervention. Officials stated that undetected eyesight issues can significantly hinder a student's ability to read, participate in regular classroom activities, and keep pace with their academic studies. By offering free eye tests and glasses to children enrolled in government schools, the programme aims to eliminate financial barriers to basic vision care and enhance educational outcomes.