Partnership with Nudge Foundation Will Help Prevent Avoidable Blindness – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

State Government signs MoU with Nudge Foundation to make Wardha district ‘Presbyopia-Free’

Wardha to become a ‘model’ district for presbyopia diagnosis and distribution of spectacles
Every resident to be screened and provided free spectacles

Wardha, Nov 2025 : Presbyopia—commonly known as age-related farsightedness—affects nearly every individual as they grow older. To free Wardha district from this condition, the Maharashtra government has signed an MoU with the Nudge Foundation. Under this partnership, every resident of the district will be screened, and those diagnosed with presbyopia will receive spectacles free of cost.

Wardha will be developed as a model district for the diagnosis and prevention of presbyopia, and the same initiative will later be implemented across the state. This partnership will significantly contribute to preventing avoidable blindness, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

The Nudge Foundation has carried out notable work in the fields of education, environment, and entrepreneurship. Through this collaboration, Wardha district will establish a model for presbyopia diagnosis and spectacle distribution. Preventing avoidable blindness is one of his key priorities, and the foundation’s support will contribute greatly to this goal, the Chief Minister said. The MoU was finalized through the special efforts of Wardha’s Guardian Minister Dr. Pankaj Bhoir and MLA Sumit Wankhede.

The state government aims to make the entire state presbyopia-free through its partnership with the Nudge Foundation. As part of this, a pilot initiative will run in Wardha district for a period of 3 to 6 months, during which the framework for diagnosis and spectacle distribution will be established. An investment of approximately Rs 4 crore is expected for the programme. Once Wardha becomes a model district, the initiative will be expanded statewide.

As of 2024, Wardha district’s population was approximately 14 lakh, with 67% (around 9 lakh) residing in rural areas. It is estimated that rural areas alone may have around 2 lakh presbyopia patients. Every citizen will undergo a free screening, and those found to have presbyopia will be provided free spectacles. This is expected to improve the daily functioning and productivity of individuals diagnosed with the condition.

Through the partnership with the Nudge Foundation and with support from the Gramin Jeevanonnati Abhiyan, awareness on presbyopia will be created among all residents aged 35 and above in Wardha district. ASHA workers and Netra Sakhis will receive special training for this purpose. Eye specialists, Netra Sakhis and ASHA workers will conduct presbyopia screening at the village level. Patients identified will receive spectacles in their own villages as per their needs.

The Nudge Foundation will provide financial assistance for the initiative along with spectacles and other required materials. It will also handle training, monitoring, and evaluation of the campaign.

What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is an age-related eye condition—also known as age-related farsightedness. It typically appears after the age of 40. As the lens of the eye becomes less flexible, the ability to see up close reduces. People may face difficulty reading small print, experience headaches, and feel strain in the eyes. Eye examination by a specialist and bifocal lenses are considered effective solutions.

Campaign to Begin in Karanja in December

The campaign will be launched in Karanja taluka in the first week of December. Netra Sakhis and ASHA workers from the taluka will receive special training from the Nudge Foundation, after which the initiative will be implemented across the district in phases.