Behind the Wheel, Blurred Vision: NNJS Acts

Recently, a free eye screening camp was recently conducted for drivers, co-drivers, and staff of Sajha Yatayat, a major public transportation cooperative operating across Kathmandu Valley. Organized by the Kathmandu branch of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) with technical support from Kirtipur Eye Hospital, the initiative aimed to ensure road safety through better vision health among transport personnel. A total of 179 individuals were examined during the camp, with 15 (8.4%) diagnosed with refractive errors, mainly presbyopia. Affected individuals received free reading glasses and medications.

Given that Sajha Yatayat buses transport thousands daily through dense traffic, the visual health of its drivers plays a vital role in public safety. Studies indicate that people with uncorrected visual impairment are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in road traffic accidents (RTAs), underscoring the importance of routine vision checks for high-risk professions. “A driver’s eyesight represents the eyes of hundreds of passengers. Screening their vision is not just a health intervention—it’s a public safety necessity,” said Mr. Hukum Prasad Pokharel, President of NNJS Kathmandu.

The initiative aligns with Nepal’s broader eye health commitments and contributes toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—especially SDG 3 (Health), SDG 8 (Decent Work), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities). According to Nepal’s 2021 RAAB survey, uncorrected refractive error remains the leading cause of visual impairment, accounting for 66.5% of mild vision loss in those aged 50 and above.

Encouraged by the screening’s success, NNJS is preparing to expand similar eye health services to long-route bus drivers and welders across Nepal—two occupational groups where good vision is crucial for safety and productivity. These planned efforts will continue to address the country’s primary causes of vision impairment: uncorrected refractive error and cataract.

As Nepal works to strengthen people-centered eye care, the government and NNJS call for greater global collaboration to ensure equitable access to eye care for all. By the end of 2024, NNJS had already reached more than 4.68 million individuals through a network of 28 eye hospitals, 224 primary care centers, and 45 district branches, performing over 539,000 eye surgeries. These achievements position Nepal as a regional leader in integrating eye health into broader public health and development goals.