Enhancing Vision, Driving Change: Apollo Tyres’ Commitment on World Sight Day 2024

Globally 2.2 billion people suffer from vision impairment or blindness, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Of these cases, nearly 1 billion could have been prevented, or remain unaddressed since many lack access to basic eye care services.?

This year’s World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes,” is a powerful reminder of how critical vision is — not just to our health, but to our livelihoods and sense of independence.

Why Vision Care Matters

For a truck driver, vision impairment is more than just an inconvenience; it can be life-threatening. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has found that impaired vision increases the risk of traffic accidents by 30%. In India, where our roads are already challenging, this risk becomes even more significant. When you add vision issues to the daily pressures faced by truck drivers — long hours, tough conditions, and minimal healthcare access — it creates a dangerous situation for them and everyone on the road.

At Apollo Tyres, we are deeply committed to addressing the critical issue of vision impairment amongst the trucking community, as they are our key stakeholders. An estimated 137 million people in the country require vision correction but lack access to adequate care. As part of our CSR Strategy, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, Good Health and Well-being, we have committed to address the healthcare needs of the trucking community. By offering regular vision checks and necessary treatments to promote good eye health, we are not just helping them see better — we are ensuring they can work safely and efficiently, and return home to their families at the end of the day.

Vision Care Programme at the Heart of the Community

Recognising the urgent need for eye care within the trucking community, we launched our Vision Care Programme in partnership with Essilor India Pvt Ltd (2.5 NVG). This initiative focuses on providing truck drivers with accessible and affordable eye care services to maintain their vision. Through our 33 Healthcare Centres, strategically located at major transhipment hubs across 19 Indian states, we conduct regular eye check-up camps, offering free screenings, spectacles, and referrals for advanced treatments.

For us, these centres are not just healthcare points — they are places where we build relationships. Since the programme began, we’ve conducted over 520,559 eye screenings, distributed more than 74,000 pairs of spectacles, and referred countless drivers for cataract surgeries and other essential treatments. These simple interventions not only restore drivers’ vision but also renew their sense of purpose and confidence in their work.

We also understand that truck drivers often do not have the luxury of time, so we bring care directly to them through our Apollo Tyres Healthcare Express mobile clinics. These units travel to highways and trucking halt points, ensuring that even drivers in the most remote areas can access on-the-spot vision care and other healthcare services. To date, our mobile units have provided over 90,000 consultations, creating a ripple effect of positive change in the lives of drivers across India.

A Comprehensive Approach to Health

While vision care is central to our healthcare initiatives, Apollo Tyres’ commitment to the trucking community goes far beyond that. Since 2001, we've taken a holistic approach to truck drivers’ health, addressing critical issues like HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. Through our HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention programme, in partnership with State AIDS Control Societies, we have reached out to over 5.8 million drivers with education, counselling and testing. To date, the programme has reached out to over 1.5 million beneficiaries and tested over 48,000 for TB, out of which around 1350 have tested positive, and 1160 beneficiaries have been linked with DOTS treatment. During COVID-19, we introduced telemedicine services, ensuring drivers continued receiving essential care, even when in-person visits were restricted.

A Call to Action: Vision Beyond World Sight Day

At Apollo Tyres, we believe that health is wealth. As we observe World Sight Day 2024, I invite everyone to act towards raising awareness about eye health. According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), 90% of vision loss is preventable or treatable with timely intervention. Something as simple as a regular check-up or a pair of spectacles can change lives.

I encourage everyone to join us in this mission. Schedule your own eye check-ups and help spread the message: Love Your Eyes.