SEE International believes in the transformative power of collaboration. By joining forces with other organizations, we can significantly increase our reach and build sustainable eyecare systems in communities around the world. That’s why the support of organizations like Johnson & Johnson is vital to our sight-restoring work.
SEE has recently joined with Johnson & Johnson to help shape the future of ophthalmic care in India. This initiative builds on SEE’s longstanding partnerships with hospitals like the Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital (SGLEH)—North Bengal’s only nonprofit eye hospital— expanding programs that address both immediate surgical demand and the long-term sustainability of eyecare systems. Johnson & Johnson helps support critical components of this work, including the purchase of medical supplies and equipment, development of infrastructure, and tuition assistance for ophthalmic training programs. This collaborative effort allows SGLEH to restore sight to tens of thousands of people each year.
A Grandfather’s Return to the Garden
Among the many patients who have recently received care through this vital partnership is Tashi Tamang. Before his surgery, Tashi had nearly lost all hope. Cataracts forced him to stop gardening, the work he loved most. And worst of all, he could no longer see his family’s faces.
“I used to garden every day, but I had to stop because I couldn’t see anymore,” Tashi shared. “I couldn’t even see the faces of my children or grandchildren.”
Everything changed after he received free cataract surgery at SGLEH, made possible by support from SEE and Johnson & Johnson. With his sight restored, Tashi can now walk independently and has returned to tending his garden.
“The happiest moment was seeing my grandchildren again,” he said. “Now, I go on walks and do my gardening every day.”
From Abandonment to Purpose
Another patient, Thomas Roi, described life before surgery as one of utter despair. Abandoned by his parents as an infant and later left to survive on the streets, his failing eyesight added to the weight of a life lived without support.
“When I couldn’t see, I felt like I had become a street animal,” he said. “No one would look after me, I was just moving around through the muds and waters and all those things.”
Thomas had turned to religion to bring him comfort and purpose, but without his sight, he was no longer able to read his Bible. Unable to make out the words on the page, or even to walk independently, he couldn’t fulfill his dream of traveling to different villages to preach religious texts.
But after learning about the services offered at SGLEH, he became hopeful. He sought treatment and received cataract surgery entirely free of cost. After having his sight restored, Thomas described the experience as both physical and spiritual:
“Now, I feel like I’m standing next to Jesus, dancing and worshipping. I can read my Bible again. I want to go village to village preaching the gospel, like Saint Mark and Saint Thomas.”
Without the barrier of preventable blindness, Thomas can now do what he loves, reclaiming his sense of purpose.
Training the Future: Dr. Bhupindejeet Singh’s Story
SGLEH’s training initiatives supported by SEE and Johnson & Johnson help address the shortage of eyecare professionals in the region that makes access to care scarce. Dr. Bhupindejeet Singh, a retina fellow at SGLEH, is one of the emerging leaders in ophthalmic care whose training will allow him to better reach those in need.
“I recently joined the fellowship program here. I chose this institute because of its reputation and the reach it has, not just in this region, but across neighboring states.”
Originally from Punjab, Dr. Singh selected SGLEH for its high patient volume and advanced infrastructure, much of which has been developed through SEE International’s partnership with Johnson & Johnson. The Company’s support helps the hospital procure and maintain critical equipment, medical supplies, and tuition for ophthalmic training, making SGLEH a premier destination for hands-on surgical education.
“The equipment here is advanced, like the OCT Angiography. These tools help us treat even complex cases that might be misdiagnosed elsewhere,” Dr. Singh shared.
As a retina fellow, Dr. Singh is not only focusing on his subspecialty but also gaining skills in cataract, glaucoma, and other areas. After completing his training, he will take his knowledge to areas of need and help those who would otherwise be unable to access care.
A Visionary Mission from Siliguri
Dr. Saini, Medical Director at SGLEH, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the ongoing partnership with SEE International and Johnson & Johnson.
“Thanks to support from SEE International and Johnson & Johnson, we are now strengthening training programs in cataract, retina, glaucoma, and ophthalmic nursing,” he said.
“This investment is crucial in addressing the region’s shortage of trained eyecare professionals and will help ensure more lives are transformed through restored sight.”
This collaborative effort has proved to be an essential part of building more sustainable eyecare systems that enhance the quality of life for people in need.
The Path Ahead
Thanks to SEE, SGLEH, and Johnson & Johnson, thousands of patients are not only regaining their sight, but also reclaiming their lives. Together, we are restoring hope to people in need and shaping the next generation of care.
With strengthened infrastructure, local expertise, and international collaboration, this essential work is building a blueprint for sustainable, life-changing eyecare throughout India, and SEE is privileged to be a part of it.
