From Vision to
Reality
Discover the story of how one doctor's dream grew into a premier eye care institution serving thousands every year.
Dr. Hanumant T. Karad
Dr. Hanumant T. Karad is an eminent Eye Surgeon, Educationist, devoted teacher, dedicated social worker and astute thinker. He is committed to Medical Profession and society at large. Netra Pratisthan founded by him is an example of service above self. He believes that humanity is religion and service to poor and needy is worship of god. Well-known Teacher & Eye Specialist for last 40 years. Operated on thousands of blind cases for cataract and many other operations — hundreds of Keratoplasties.
Eyes are one of the greatest gifts we have. Through them we see the colors of nature, the faces of our loved ones, and the world around us. But for many people, especially in rural India, eyesight problems often go untreated. Issues like cataracts, glaucoma, or diabetic eye disease quietly reduce vision — and most of these problems can be treated if people get timely, quality care. Yet millions suffer unnecessarily simply because eye care services are not within reach.
In the Marathwada region of Maharashtra — which includes Latur — getting good eye care used to be nearly impossible. People from villages often had to travel long distances to cities such as Pune, Mumbai, or Hyderabad to see a specialist. Travel costs, lost wages, and the expense of treatment put care out of reach for most families. A simple cataract could mean permanent blindness for a breadwinner, pushing an entire family into hardship.
That's why D.S. Karad Eye Institute was started in November 2012 in Latur. From day one, the goal was simple and clear: make quality eye care affordable and accessible for everyone. The institute is part of Netra Pratishthan, an organization dedicated to better eye health for the community.
Why D.S. Karad Eye Institute?
The Institute's motto — “Everyone Sees the Beautiful World” — sums up the mission: every person, regardless of background or means, deserves the chance to see clearly again. The hospital brings modern equipment, skilled doctors, and a caring team together to serve thousands of patients and to reach people who otherwise would not get care. Conveniently located on Kalamb Road in the MIDC area, the institute was designed to be easily accessible from nearby towns and villages across the region.
A key partner in this mission is Operation Eyesight Universal, a global organization dedicated to ending avoidable blindness. This partnership helps the institute not only treat patients who come in, but also run outreach programs — free eye camps, school screenings, and diabetic eye checks — that bring services directly to villages and small towns. These camps catch problems early, often before vision is permanently lost.
Today, the institute offers everything from routine eye examinations to advanced cataract and cornea surgeries, retina care, glaucoma management, and paediatric eye treatment. Equipped with modern diagnostic technology including OCT, fundus camera, and perimetry, the hospital delivers care that matches the best in the country. More than medical treatment, the institute gives hope — restoring vision, independence, and dignity for people who thought they had no options left.
A Decade of Service
From day one, the hospital focused on two simple principles: equal care for everyone — quality treatment should not be a privilege of the few — and reach into the community instead of waiting for patients to come. Working closely with Operation Eyesight Universal, the institute launched organised rural eye camps, school screening drives, and diabetic retinopathy detection programs across Latur and Osmanabad districts.
In the early years the focus was on building trust. The institute kept consultation fees low, provided subsidised or free surgeries for those in need, and emphasised warm, respectful patient care. Word of mouth grew: families began recommending the hospital, and patients travelled from surrounding districts seeking treatment.
Year after year the outpatient department has seen thousands of patients — often between 5,500 and 7,500 annually — and the hospital handles hundreds of in-patient treatments and surgeries each year. These are real lives changed by sight restored — farmers who can return to work, grandparents who can recognise their grandchildren, children who can see the blackboard clearly.
Much of this work is led by the Institute’s medical team and especially Dr. Hanumant T. Karad, an experienced ophthalmologist known for cataract and corneal surgery. His expertise spans thousands of successful cataract surgeries and hundreds of keratoplasties, earning him recognition as one of the region’s most trusted eye surgeons.
Dr. Karad’s approach blends clinical skill with community service: treating patients in the clinic and personally guiding outreach programs that bring care to those who can’t otherwise reach the hospital. He believes that service to the poor and needy is the highest form of worship — a philosophy that shapes every decision at the institute.
The start-up years brought their share of challenges — procuring the right equipment, training skilled staff, and convincing people to trust local care rather than travel far away. Step by step, with persistence and a community-first focus, those challenges were overcome. What began as a small clinic has grown into a full-fledged eye hospital serving thousands annually.
Today, more than a decade since opening, D.S. Karad Eye Institute is a trusted local institution where thousands have regained their sight and where the goal of reducing avoidable blindness in Marathwada is being steadily realised. The journey continues with the same passion and commitment to excellence that started it all.
A Legacy of Trust
Since 2012, D.S. Karad Eye Institute has been the name families trust for their eye care. Our journey continues with the same passion, dedication, and commitment to excellence that Dr. Hanumant T. Karad started with all those years ago.
13+
Years of Service
50K+
Lives Impacted
8+
Departments
Emergency Eye Care?
We're Here 24/7
Eye emergencies don't wait. Our emergency team is available around the clock for immediate care and consultations.
Quick Appointment
Fill the form and we'll call you back within 30 minutes.