Disha Eye Hospitals Launches Act. SubtrAct. CatarAct. A Campaign To Raise Awareness About Cataract, The Leading Global Cause Of Blindness 284038

Kolkata, 07th June, 2025: As a part of the ongoing Cataract Awareness Month, Disha Eye Hospitals, the largest eye care chain of Eastern India, today, launched a campaign – “Act. SubtrAct. CatarAct.” – a dedicated initiative to raise awareness about cataract, the leading cause of preventable blindness. The campaign was unveiled by noted actress, Ms Priyanka Sarkar, in the presence of Dr Debasish Bhattacharya, Chairman & Managing Director, Disha Eye Hospitals & Mr Ranabir Bhattacharya, CFO, Disha Eye Hospitals.

Cataract is a progressive eye condition that leads to clouding of the natural lens, resulting in blurry or hazy vision. This can affect one or both the eyes and gradually develop over time. While commonly associated with aging, cataracts can also be caused by diabetes, eye injuries or genetic factors.

The “Act. SubtrAct. CatarAct”. campaign aims to raise public awareness about the importance of early detection and prompt surgical treatment – especially for individuals aged 40 and above. Dispelling the outdated myth that surgery should be delayed until vision is severely impaired, Disha Eye Hospitals emphasised that early intervention not only restores sight but also enables the detection of other serious eye conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy at treatable stages.

Throughout June, Disha Eye Hospitals, as a part of their “Act. SubtrAct. CatarAct”. campaign will roll out a range of awareness activities, including educational materials at all hospital locations, targeted social media contents and patient engagement initiatives. A key feature of the campaign is the provision of free cataract surgeries for 10 elderly underprivileged residents of select old age homes each in Kolkata and Siliguri, underscoring the hospital’s commitment to accessible eye care for vulnerable communities.

“At Disha Eye Hospitals, we believe that clear vision is fundamental to living a full and independent life. Regardless of age or circumstance, everyone deserves the chance to see the world clearly. The “Act. SubtrAct. CatarAct.” campaign is our proactive step towards eliminating preventable blindness by emphasising early cataract diagnosis and timely surgical intervention – especially for individuals aged 40 and above. Through this initiative, we aim not only to restore vision but to restore dignity, confidence and quality of life,” said Dr Debashish Bhattacharya Chairman & Managing Director, Disha Eye Hospitals.

“With cataracts responsible for over 50% of global blindness, timely diagnosis and treatment remain paramount. In India, while nearly 85 lakhs cataract surgeries are performed each year, the backlog persists, especially in rural and underserved communities. Disha Eye Hospitals has performed over 12 lakhs cataract surgeries till date. Each year, we perform over about 1.05 lakhs cataract surgeries across all our centres. With the “Act. SubtrAct. CatarAct.” campaign, we are setting up dedicated Cataract Awareness Help Desks and kiosks at all our centres in Kolkata and West Bengal. This initiative will help educate patients, facilitate early detection, and ensure better access to care in both urban and remote areas,” said Mr Ranabir Bhattacharya, CFO, Disha Eye Hospitals.

“Eye health is something we often take for granted until it starts to slip away. I am proud to Disha Eye Hospitals new initiative “Act. SubtrAct. CatarAct.” because it sheds light on a condition that is both common and curable, if timely identified. Early action can change lives and I hope this initiative inspires more people to prioritise regular eye check-ups – not just for themselves, but for their parents and elders too”, said Ms Priyanka Sarkar, Actress.

Today the campaign logo and tagline were unveiled, symbolising Disha Eye Hospitals’ proactive approach to combating cataract related blindness. Similar launch events are scheduled later this month in Siliguri to further extend the campaign’s reach across West Bengal.