• Protectors of Sight Sophie Gerrard – Artists’ statement In the eastern Indian state of Bihar there are around 1 million curably blind people. It is one of the worst affected places in the world for cataract blindness. Poor infrastructure, poverty and illiteracy levels compound the...

Women in the recovery room after receiving catract surgery at AJEH Hospital, Mastichak, Bihar.The World Health Organisation recognises that cataract surgery is one of the most cost effective health interventions known.

Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

The village home of Sanjoga Devi, 65, Tehra, rural BiharBlindness is isolating. Without sight, it’s almost impossible to contribute to the most basic of family life. It is also almost impossible to earn a living.

The village home of Sanjoga Devi, 65, Tehra, rural Bihar Blindness is isolating. Without sight, it’s almost impossible to contribute to the most basic of family life. It is also almost impossible to earn a living.

Protectors of Sight

Sophie Gerrard – Artists’ statement

In the eastern Indian state of Bihar there are around 1 million curably blind people. It is one of the worst affected places in the world for cataract blindness. Poor infrastructure, poverty and illiteracy levels compound the problem faced by many. The World Health Organisation is working towards the global eradicating of curable blindness by 2020. If this goal is to be achieved in Bihar it is a race against time.
Blindness is isolating, individuals are gradually removed from daily life and are unable to contribute. The condition is devastating both psychologically and economically, individuals can not work or provide an income, they are unable to look after the children and many can not even go to the bathroom unaccompanied.
If a person can not earn they become a burden to their family. In Bihar, 80% of the population live in isolated rural areas on less than 50p per day. Over 50% of children in the state are malnourished. Lost earnings in Bihar will determine if a family will eat or not that day.
In 2009 I was commissioned by The Savitri Trust to document the story of blindness in India’s worst affected state, Bihar. I spent time in villages and with villagers in their homes. In Bihar, rural infrastructure is often so bad that those affected by blindness are unable, both logistically and financially, to travel to hospital. I went on outreach camps and accompanied the hospital staff as they carried out extensive rural screening in order to identify the hundreds affected by cataract blindness. The time I spent with doctors, individuals, villagers and patients enabled me to explore the way blindness impacts the lives of so many in this part of India.
Over the course of 2 years and several visits to Bihar, I found that photographing became my diary as I worked and traveled in the rural landscape. I responded to photographing those without sight and living in unfamiliar darkness, by making images of wide open spaces and long empty views. I found myself drawn to changes in light and dark and to shadows and obscured views.
This project presents not simply a social document or an objective narrative, but also an intimate, metaphorical and reflective response to cataract blindness in rural Bihar. Protectors of Sight explores themes of separation, isolation and vulnerability and also the relationships between people and dignity, patience and hope. Barriers of light and dark open out into empty landscapes and small everyday possessions become important detailed expressions of control and familiarity.
“The more we do, the more there is to be done.” Prasad Gupta explains at his house in Siran district, rural Bihar. A distinguished and respected man from rural Bihar, Gupta received cataract surgery at AJEH 3 years ago. Since then, he has volunteered as an advocate for the hospital, a ‘Protector of Sight’ he has taken over 1000 people for free cataract surgery.
AJEH currently operate on over 100 blind people every day completely free of charge. They do this from a location with no electricity, no roads and no help from large international NGOs.
The World Health Organisation describes curing blindness as one of the most cost effective health interventions known.

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GEMS Missionary Hospital, Dehri - On - Sone, Bihar. A Christian Eye Hospital in Dehri On Sone, where Dr Helen is establishing an eye department.

Mastichak, rural Bihar.

Over 80% of Bihar’s 100 million populaton live in inaccessible rural areas with no roads, little infrastructure and no access to affordable healthcare. Bihar is one of the world’s worst af- fected places for cataract blindness.

Mastichak, rural Bihar.

Over 80% of Bihar’s 100 million populaton live in inaccessible rural areas with no roads, little infrastructure and no access to affordable healthcare. Bihar is one of the world’s worst af- fected places for cataract blindness.

Mastichak, rural Bihar.

Over 80% of Bihar’s 100 million populaton live in inaccessible rural areas with no roads, little infrastructure and no access to affordable healthcare. Bihar is one of the world’s worst af- fected places for cataract blindness.

Journey to the eye outreach camp on the Diara islands in the middle of the Ganges, Patna, Bihar, India These isolated shifting islands are home to hundreds of thousands of people, all without healthcare or education. There are no roads on the islands, temp

Outreach doctors from AJEH reach the eye outreach camp on the Diara Islands, after travelling on foot, boat, car and lorry for over 3 hours. The outside temperature is over 50 degrees, there are more than 200 people waiting to have their eyes checked. Many

Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

Perscription pads at the outreach camp. Outreach doctors from AJEH reach the eye outreach camp on the Diara Islands, after travelling on foot, boat, car and lorry for over 3 hours. The outside temperature is over 50 degrees, there are more than 200 people

Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

Perscription pads and equipment, including a fan, for checking the eyes of the people waiting at the outreach camp. Outreach doctors from AJEH reach the eye outreach camp on the Diara Islands, after travelling on foot, boat, car and lorry for over 3 hours.

Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

Rural Bihar, India

The 12km wide dry river bed of the Ganges, Bihar. Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital’s (AJEH) outreach teams go to extraordinary lengths to find the rural blind and bring them to the hospital for surgery. AJEH has a team of volunteers, called Protectors of Sight,

The 12km wide dry river bed of the Ganges, Bihar. Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital’s (AJEH) outreach teams go to extraordinary lengths to find the rural blind and bring them to the hospital for surgery. AJEH has a team of volunteers, called Protectors of Sight, who go out and bring people to the hospital. Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

The Diara islands in the middle of the Ganges.These isolated shifting islands are home to hundreds of thou- sands of people, all without healthcare or education. They are poor because they are blind and they are blind because they are poor. Curing blindne

The Diara islands in the middle of the Ganges. These isolated shifting islands are home to hundreds of thou- sands of people, all without healthcare or education. They are poor because they are blind and they are blind because they are poor. Curing blindness is one of the most cost effec- tive health interventions known.

Journey to the Diara islands in the middle of the Ganges.These isolated shifting islands are home to hundreds of thou- sands of people, all without healthcare or education. They are poor because they are blind and they are blind because they are poor. Cur

The Diara islands in the middle of the Ganges. These isolated shifting islands are home to hundreds of thou- sands of people, all without healthcare or education. They are poor because they are blind and they are blind because they are poor. Curing blindness is one of the most cost effec- tive health interventions known.

The Diara islands in the middle of the Ganges.These isolated shifting islands are home to hundreds of thou- sands of people, all without healthcare or education. They are poor because they are blind and they are blind because they are poor. Curing blindne

The Diara islands in the middle of the Ganges. These isolated shifting islands are home to hundreds of thou- sands of people, all without healthcare or education. They are poor because they are blind and they are blind because they are poor. Curing blindness is one of the most cost effec- tive health interventions known.

Village on the Diara islands in the middle of the Ganges, Patna, Bihar, India These isolated shifting islands are home to hundreds of thou- sands of people, all without healthcare or education. They are poor because they are blind and they are blind becaus

Village on the Diara islands in the middle of the Ganges, Patna, Bihar, India These isolated shifting islands are home to hundreds of thousands of people, all without healthcare or education. They are poor because they are blind and they are blind because they are poor. Curing blindness is one of the most cost effec- tive health interventions known.

Hundreds of people wait to have their eyes screened at an eye camp for cataract blindness in Bihar. For the majority this their only hope of free sight saving surgery.

An individual at an eye camp waits to be seen by the opthal- mologist, Diara, Bihar. The community outreach teams hold eye camps in remote rural areas. This eye camp is on a sand island in the Ganges, called a Diara where there is no access to healthcare.

Hundreds of people wait to have their eyes screened at an eye camp for cataract blindness in Bihar. For the majority this their only hope of free sight saving surgery.

An individual at an eye camp waits to be seen by the opthal- mologist, Diara, Bihar. The community outreach teams hold eye camps in remote rural areas. This eye camp is on a sand island in the Ganges, called a Diara where there is no access to healthcare.

An individual at an eye camp waits to be seen by the opthal- mologist, Diara, Bihar. The community outreach teams hold eye camps in remote rural areas. This eye camp is on a sand island in the Ganges, called a Diara where there is no access to healthcare. Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

Women wait to have their eyes screened at an eye camp for cataract blindness in Bihar. For the majority this their only hope of free sight saving surgery.

The home of Chandradeo Prasad Gupta, 50, Tehra, rural Bihar Gupta is one of the hospital’s Protectors of Sight. He volun- teers for AJEH and brings rural poor patients to hospital for sight saving free eye surgery.

A woman clutches her appointment card at an eye camp, rural Bihar. Women wait to have their eyes screened at an eye camp for cataract blindness in Bihar. For the majority this their only hope of free sight saving surgery.

A local man from the extremely remote Diara sand islands in the middle of The Ganges. “There is no doctor here let alone a health centre, a women in labour must be carried for 20kms over the sand or through the flooded river. We need a clinic here.”

Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

The home of Chandradeo Prasad Gupta, 50, Tehra, rural Bihar Gupta is one of the hospital’s Protectors of Sight. He volun- teers for AJEH and brings rural poor patients to hospital for sight saving free eye surgery.

The home of Chandradeo Prasad Gupta, 50, Tehra, rural Bihar Gupta is one of the hospital’s Protectors of Sight. He volun- teers for AJEH and brings rural poor patients to hospital for sight saving free eye surgery.

The home of Chandradeo Prasad Gupta, 50, Tehra, rural Bihar Gupta is one of the hospital’s Protectors of Sight. He volun- teers for AJEH and brings rural poor patients to hospital for sight saving free eye surgery.

Chandradeo Prasad Gupta, 50 Protector of Sight, Pyareapur, Siwan, Bihar; “As the light fades and things become cloudy, people become confused. They think this is God’s wish, they do not know they can get their sight back. They are frightened. I find

Chandradeo Prasad Gupta, 50 Protector of Sight, Pyareapur, Siwan, Bihar; “As the light fades and things become cloudy, people become confused. They think this is God’s wish, they do not know they can get their sight back. They are frightened. I find them, or they find me, and we go to the hospital together. Sometimes all that prevents a person getting surgery is that they do not have anyone to accompany them. I go with them, I reassure them and I take them by the hand. ”

Chandradeo Prasad Gupta, 50 Protector of Sight, Pyareapur, Siwan, Bihar; “As the light fades and things become cloudy, people become confused. They think this is God’s wish, they do not know they can get their sight back. They are frightened. I find

Chandradeo Prasad Gupta, 50 Protector of Sight, Pyareapur, Siwan, Bihar; “As the light fades and things become cloudy, people become confused. They think this is God’s wish, they do not know they can get their sight back. They are frightened. I find them, or they find me, and we go to the hospital together. Sometimes all that prevents a person getting surgery is that they do not have anyone to accompany them. I go with them, I reassure them and I take them by the hand. ”

The village home of Sanjoga Devi, 65, Tehra, rural Bihar Blindness is isolating. Without sight, it’s almost impossible to contribute to the most basic of family life. It is also almost impossible to earn a living.

Sanjoga Devi, 65, who is blind from double cataract, being led by her husband.Tehra, rural Bihar Blindness is isolating. Without sight, it’s almost impossible to contribute to the most basic of family life. It is also almost impossible to earn a living.

Sanjoda Devi, aged 65, has bilateral cataract. She has been blind for 2 years. She can do no work or chores. Her husband helps her with everything. As a result his income is limited. Most days they eat only one meal.

Sanjoda Devi, aged 65, has bilateral cataract. She has been blind for 2 years. She can do no work or chores. Her husband helps her with everything. As a result his income is limited. Most days they eat only one meal. Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

Sanjoda Devi, aged 65, has bilateral cataract. She has been blind for 2 years. She can do no work or chores. Her husband helps her with everything. As a result his income is limited. Most days they eat only one meal.

Census markings on a village home, rural Bihar. The 2011 Indian Census recorder the population of India to be 1.2 billion. The backlog of curable blindness in Bihar alone is over half a million, hundreds of thousands add to this back- log every year. It is

Census markings on a village home, rural Bihar. The 2011 Indian Census recorder the population of India to be 1.2 billion. The backlog of curable blindness in Bihar alone is over half a million, hundreds of thousands add to this back- log every year. It is a race against time to clear it.

Rural Bihar, India

Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

AJEH hospital, Mastichak, Bihar, India

Rural Bihar, India

When the blind patients are brought to the rural eye hospital they are given a medical examination, their eyes and general physical wellbeing is assessed. They are then prepped for surgery. INDIA, BIHAR, SARAN DISTRICT, MASTICHAK.

When the blind patients are brought to the rural eye hospital they are given a medical examination, their eyes and general physical wellbeing is assessed. They are then prepped for surgery. INDIA, BIHAR, SARAN DISTRICT, MASTICHAK.

When the blind patients are brought to the rural eye hospital they are given a medical examination, their eyes and general physical wellbeing is assessed. They are then prepped for surgery. INDIA, BIHAR, SARAN DISTRICT, MASTICHAK.

When the blind patients are brought to the rural eye hospital they are given a medical examination, their eyes and general physical wellbeing is assessed. They are then prepped for surgery. INDIA, BIHAR, SARAN DISTRICT, MASTICHAK.

The north eastern Indian state of Bihar is one of the worst affected places in the world for cataract blindness. Over half a million people in Bihar are blind. Cataract blindness is curable. Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital are one of very few hospitals in Bihar curing the blind for free. They currently cure over 100 blind patients every day, completely free of charge. AJEH are committed to The World Health Organisation's goal of eradicating curable blindness worldwide by the year 2020. For this to be a reality in India it is a race against time. The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust support the work of AJEH by subsidising cataract surgeries. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

Dr Kumar at AJEH Hospital, aged just 40 he has completed over 20,000 cataract operations.

Dr Kumar at AJEH Hospital, aged just 40 he has completed over 20,000 cataract operations. Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

A patient gives her thumb print as a signature - the vast majority of patients in this part of Bihar are illiterate. GEMS Missionary Hospital, Dehri - On - Sone, Bihar. A Christian Eye Hospital in Dehri On Sone, where Dr Helen is establishing an eye depart

GEMS Missionary Hospital, Dehri - On - Sone, Bihar. A Christian Eye Hospital in Dehri On Sone, where Dr Helen is establishing an eye department.

Patients' files for one day of cataract surgeries at AJEH, Bihar.

Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

Relatives wait while their loved ones receive eye surgery, GEMS Hospital. Extreme poverty, lack of education and poor infrastructure mean the majority of the rural blind population of Bihar are unable to travel to hospital. They are brought to hospital by

Relatives wait while their loved ones receive eye surgery, GEMS Hospital. Extreme poverty, lack of education and poor infrastructure mean the majority of the rural blind population of Bihar are unable to travel to hospital. They are brought to hospital by outreach teams.

A patient undergoes cataract surgery, AJEH operation the- atre, Mastichak, Bihar. The cataract operation can take as little as 5 minutes. The cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a plastic lens.

A patient undergoes cataract surgery, AJEH operation the- atre, Mastichak, Bihar. The cataract operation can take as little as 5 minutes. The cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a plastic lens.

Patient after successful cataract surgery

Patient after successful cataract surgery

Patient after successful cataract surgery

Patient after successful cataract surgery

AJEH recovery ward, Mastichak, Bihar. Currently the biggest eye hospital in Bihar, AJEH opened in 2006 and currently operates on over 100 patients every day for free.

AJEH recovery ward, Mastichak, Bihar. Currently the biggest eye hospital in Bihar, AJEH opened in 2006 and currently operates on over 100 patients every day for free.

Cataract blindness in India is curable. 2 million people in India are needlessly blind through cataract. Hospitals such as AJEH in rural Bihar, with the help of extraordinary doctors, are working to eradicate curable blindness in India by 2020.

AJEH recovery ward, patients are given instrctions on how to care for their eyes. Mastichak, Bihar. Currently the biggest eye hospital in Bihar, AJEH opened in 2006 and currently operates on over 100 patients every day for free.

Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital in Bihar, India is currently one of the biggest eye hospitals in Bihar. Bihar has the highest rate of cataract blindness in india. Cataract blindness is reversible. AJEH is carrying out some extraordinary work. Mritunjay Tiwary and his team of eye surgeons operate on an average of more than 100 patients every day, completely free of charge. All photographs by Sophie Gerrard for The Savitri Waney Charitable Trust. www.savitri.org.uk

GEMS Missionary Hospital, Dehri - On - Sone, Bihar. A Christian Eye Hospital in Dehri On Sone, where Dr Helen is establishing an eye department.

Gospel Echoing Missionary Society hospital GEMSs, Dehri - On - Sone, Bihar. The operating theatre at Gospel Echoing Missionary Society (GEMS) hospital in rural Bihar. A Christian Eye Hospital in Dehri On Sone, where Dr Helen is establishing an eye departme

GEMS Missionary Hospital, Dehri - On - Sone, Bihar. A Christian Eye Hospital in Dehri On Sone, where Dr Helen is establishing an eye department.

Dr Helen with her parrot, GEMS Missionary Hospital, Bihar. Dr Helen has dedicated her life to curing the sight of Bihar’s rural poor. She currently lives and works at GEMS Missionary Hospital where she has helped establish an eye department at the hospit

Dr Helen with her parrot, GEMS Missionary Hospital, Bihar. Dr Helen has dedicated her life to curing the sight of Bihar’s rural poor. She currently lives and works at GEMS Missionary Hospital where she has helped establish an eye department at the hospital.

Sona Devi aged 45 before and after cataract surgery, AJEH, Bihar, India

Sona Devi aged 45 before and after cataract surgery, AJEH, Bihar, India

The new hospital currently being renovated by AJEH, Bihar. The need and demand is so great in riural Bihar that with every increase in funding the hospital aquire, the more wards and operating theatres they build.

AJEH Hospital

Rural Bihar, India

Holy Temple near AJEH, Mastickak, Bihar

Holy Temple near AJEH, Mastickak, Bihar

“Aakhbana” - Go and Restore Sight

Rural Bihar, India

Rural Bihar, India

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