Sankara Eye Hospitals, in association with VISION 2020 India, will host the 20th Annual VISION 2020 India Conference from July 10 to 12, 2026 in Bengaluru. The conference will bring together leading ophthalmologists, optometrists, public health experts, policymakers, researchers, development partners and healthcare professionals from across India to discuss the future of eye care.
The event will be held under the theme “Innovation, Collaboration and Impact in Eye Care – Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047”. Over three days, participants will exchange knowledge, showcase innovations and strengthen partnerships aimed at eliminating avoidable blindness while improving access to high-quality and equitable eye care services.
Five Key Themes to Shape India’s Eye Care Future
The scientific programme focuses on five major thematic tracks:
Innovation and Technology
Innovations and Technological Solutions in Eye Care will highlight emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and digital health tools that are transforming diagnosis, treatment and service delivery.
Universal Eye Health Partnerships
Collaboration for Universal Eye Health will focus on partnerships among governments, healthcare institutions, NGOs and industry to improve access and patient outcomes.
Equity, Sustainability and Quality
Impact, Equity, Sustainability and Quality in Eye Care will examine evidence-based approaches that enhance outcomes while ensuring sustainable and inclusive service delivery.
Optometry and Allied Professionals
Excellence in Optometry and Allied Ophthalmic Personnel will emphasize workforce development, education and the critical role of allied eye care professionals.
Knowledge Sharing and Organizational Growth
Sharing Knowledge Repository: Towards Organizational Excellence and Growth will promote best practices, institutional learning and collaborative knowledge exchange.
Sankara Eye Foundation India on the Future of Eye Care
“As we celebrate the 20th edition of the VISION 2020 India Conference, our focus is firmly on the future of eye care. Advances in artificial intelligence, digital health and innovative service delivery models have the potential to transform access to quality eye care across India,” informed
Dr. Kaushik Murali, President–Medical Administration, Quality & Education, Sankara Eye Foundation India He added that the conference will help clinicians, researchers, policymakers and healthcare leaders collaborate on scalable solutions that support universal eye health and contribute to Viksit Bharat 2047.
Conference Coincides with 50 Years of the Sankara Movement
The 2026 conference also marks the 50th anniversary of the Sankara movement, a significant milestone in India’s community eye care journey. For five decades, Sankara Eye Hospitals has worked to provide quality eye care to underserved communities through outreach programmes, innovation and sustainable service models.
Extensive Scientific Programme Planned
The conference will feature:
Keynote addresses
Plenary sessions
Panel discussions
Research paper presentations
Workshops
Interactive sessions
Experts from across India will discuss artificial intelligence in ophthalmology, digital health solutions, community eye care, public-private partnerships, quality improvement initiatives and capacity building to strengthen the national eye care ecosystem.
VISION 2020 India Emphasizes Collective Action
“The future of eye care will be defined not by individual institutions, but by the strength of our collective vision. Achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 will require partnerships among government, healthcare institutions, academia, civil society, industry and development partners,” said Dr. Rajesh Saini, President, VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – India. He noted that the conference reflects the spirit of SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, which encourages collaboration to drive innovation and scale impact.
Global Recognition for India’s Eye Health Progress
Peter Holland, CEO of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, praised India’s progress in eye health. “India is demonstrating strong, sustained leadership in advancing eye health. The elimination of trachoma, inclusion of cataract surgery in publicly financed health schemes and expansion of community eye-care services show what effective government action and cross-sector collaboration can achieve,” said Peter Holland, CEO, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
Why the Conference Matters
Over the past two decades, VISION 2020 India has become one of the country’s most influential collaborative platforms for community eye care. Through advocacy, research, capacity building and knowledge sharing, it has helped institutions work together to eliminate avoidable blindness. As per the press release, the 20th Annual VISION 2020 India Conference is expected to attract hundreds of delegates from across the country. By fostering scientific exchange, policy dialogue and collaborative action, the event aims to shape the future roadmap for universal eye health in India.