Why India’s drug-pricing system leaves patients exposed to high medicine costs

The issue of gender inequality in access to eye care in India is a pressing concern, as highlighted by community ophthalmologist Rohit Khanna. In a poignant case, Khanna recounted a patient, a young girl afflicted with retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive eye cancer often diagnosed in early childhood. The family, upon learning of the necessity for surgery and potential loss of the eye for the girl's survival, expressed reservations.

The father's concern centered on the implication of disfigurement for his daughter's future prospects, raising doubts about her ability to marry in the future. This instance underscores the deeply gendered barriers in seeking and receiving eye care in India, where the social and cultural implications for women and girls can override medical necessity.