The Eye Foundation of America (EFA) has raised $900,000 at its 2026 charity gala with a vision for a world free from preventable childhood blindness.
Held under the theme “Join Our Vision,” the April 18 gala at The Imperia in Somerset, New Jersey highlighted the critical importance of collective action in expanding access to affordable and high‑quality eye care for children across underserved communities worldwide, according to a media release.
Hosted under the leadership of founder Dr. V. K. Raju, and foundation president Dr. Leela V. Raju, the event
brought together philanthropists, medical professionals, business leaders, and community advocates united by a single vision.
Members of the Board of Trustees, including Sam Maddali, Sekhar Vemparala, and Srinu Maddula, were recognized for their years of stewardship and dedication to advancing the Foundation’s mission.
“Every child deserves to see the world with clarity and purpose,” said Dr. V. K. Raju, a world‑renowned ophthalmologist. “Let us join hands to eradicate childhood blindness and unlock a brighter future for generations to come.”
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Dr. Raju spoke about transformative advances in medicine and technology, particularly the emergence of gene therapy and stem therapy, which are reshaping the diagnosis and treatment of inherited and degenerative eye diseases.
However, he emphasized that innovation alone is not enough. “The greatest challenge is ensuring these life‑changing treatments are accessible and affordable to the millions of children who need them most.”
Dr. Raju assured the audience that funds raised during the gala would directly support EFA’s long‑term mission to deliver restorative and preventive vision care to children in underserved regions.
The Foundation achieves its mission through a comprehensive approach that includes eye camps, permanent hospitals in developing countries, training medical professionals, and educating communities about preventive eye care and healthy lifestyle choices, according to the release.
By empowering individuals with knowledge and access to care, EFA helps prevent avoidable vision loss while enabling families and communities to thrive.
Through EFA’s initiatives, teachers are trained to identify early signs of eye problems in children, communities are educated on injury prevention, and patients receive free or subsidized surgeries and follow‑up care.
These sustained efforts have made a lasting impact: EFA has served approximately 2.5 million patients and performed more than 340,000 vision‑saving surgeries, including over 30,000 surgeries for children. Over four decades of service, Dr. Raju’s work has restored sight to millions in India and around the world.