Mr. M. Venkataiah, a 57-year-old resident of Pinnur village in Indukurpet Mandal, Nellore District, had been silently suffering from diminishing eyesight for more than a year. A daily-wage laborer by background, Venkataiah’s ability to work and participate in community life began to deteriorate as he found it increasingly difficult to identify faces, read labels, or walk safely after dusk. His condition worsened steadily, with vision in his right eye almost completely lost due to a matured cataract.
Due to limited financial resources and lack of awareness, he had not sought treatment. His turning point came when he attended the SPEECH Free Eye Camp, conducted in his Village. During the screening, doctors identified a dense cataract and explained to Mr.Venkataiah that the condition was completely treatable with a simple surgery.
Thanks to the facilitation by SPEECH, he was quickly referred to a partner hospital and underwent a cataract operation at no cost, covered under the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva scheme. Post-surgery, he also received a pair of prescribed spectacles free of charge to correct his vision completely.
“It’s like seeing the world a new,” Venkataiah shared with visible emotion. “I had accepted darkness as my fate. But today, I feel like I have a second chance.”
Mr.Venkataiah now moves with confidence, helps with household work, and participates in community events again. His restored vision has brought back not just sight, but also dignity, independence, and hope.
