As India’s population continues to age, the Union Budget presents a crucial opportunity to redefine what longevity truly means—not just living longer, but living well. Emphasising the need for a stronger focus on eye health, Mr. Sanjay Bhutani, Director of the Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI), has called for eye care to be treated as a core component of primary healthcare rather than a discretionary service

Highlighting the widespread impact of preventable vision disorders, particularly cataract, Mr. Bhutani noted that visual impairment disproportionately affects older adults from poorer and rural households. “Eye health must be recognised as a basic healthcare necessity. Common age-related conditions significantly affect mobility, independence and overall quality of life,” he said.

According to him, a calibrated increase in public spending on eye-health services could generate benefits far beyond the healthcare system. Preventing avoidable vision loss can reduce the risk of falls and injuries among seniors, ease the burden on families, and allow older citizens to remain active and economically engaged for longer.

Mr. Bhutani stressed that positioning eye care as a foundational public good—on par with other essential health priorities—would help ensure that advances in medical science translate into meaningful improvements in everyday life. “The years added by medical progress must be matched by years lived with clarity, safety and dignity,” he added.

As policymakers shape the upcoming Budget, healthcare experts argue that investing in eye health is not just a medical necessity but a social and economic imperative—one that can significantly enhance healthy ageing across India.