Launch, Administration, and Program Structure

The Asha Kirana initiative is administered by the Department of Health and Family Welfare. It was officially launched in Chikkaballapura to deliver comprehensive eye care at the grassroots level. The project is executed in collaboration with the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB). It operates as an extensive door-to-door eye screening campaign covering rural and urban populations. Trained health workers, including ASHA workers and primary health staff, conduct primary vision tests. Individuals flagged with vision impairments or eye ailments are mapped for secondary screening. Secondary clinical examinations are conducted by optometrists and ophthalmic officers at primary health centers.

Clinical Care, Corrective Aid, and Surgical Coverage

The initiative systematically identifies cases of refractive errors, cataracts, and other ophthalmic conditions. Patients identified with refractive errors receive free prescription spectacles at their doorstep. Those diagnosed with advanced complications such as cataracts are referred to designated government hospitals.All necessary cataract and specialized eye surgeries are performed entirely free of cost. The program eliminates financial barriers to vision restoration for marginalized and rural communities. Post-operative care, follow-up evaluations, and necessary medications are also provided without charges. This community-oriented model strengthens preventive eye care and drastically reduces preventable blindness. Official health guidelines and program updates are coordinated through the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare portal.