15 Years of the Dr Kommareddy Raja Ram Mohan Rao Eye Centre, Gudavalli

Today marks 15 years since the Dr Kommareddy Raja Ram Mohan Rao Secondary Eye Centre in Gudavalli, Bapatla District, Andhra Pradesh, opened its doors.

Inaugurated on 24 August 2011, it is the tenth secondary centre of the L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) network in Andhra Pradesh, established through the generosity of Dr Kodali Vara Prasad and his family in memory of Dr Kommareddy Raja Ram Mohan Rao, Dr Vara Prasad’s professor and mentor. Wanting to bring quality eye care to their village and the surrounding communities, the family donated the land and building that made the centre possible.

Since then, the Dr Kommareddy Raja Ram Mohan Rao Secondary Eye Centre has grown with support from several families. Five Vision Centres now connect to Gudavalli — at Bhattiprolu, Amruthaluru, Kolluru, Nagaram, and Karlapalem — supported by Latter-day Saint Charities (USA), Lions Club of Ponnuru, Prof Krothapalli Ravindranath, Dr Krothapalli Anjaneyulu, Sri B Srinivasa Rao, and local communities.

15 Years of Impact:

• 232,927 outpatient consultations
• 24,271 surgeries, nearly 60% free of cost
• Sub-specialty surgeries in Cornea, Oculoplasty, and Retina
• 198,620 free eye examinations through the Vision Centres
• 326,317 people screened by community outreach
• 255 people supported through rehabilitation and low-vision services
• 7,796 people served by Pashyantu, the mobile diagnostic van, since 2019

Flagship efforts include the Sunetra Project (2011–2020), a door-to-door community health program, and the mDiabetes Project, run with Arogya World to raise diabetes awareness.

To everyone who has been part of the Gudavalli Eye Centre family, past and present: thank you for fifteen years of dedication that have changed lives across this community.