VISUAL HEALTH INEQUITIES AMONG SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN INDIA: INSIGHTS FROM A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Small-scale farmers constitute a substantial segment of Indias rural workforce and depend heavily on good visual function for agricultural productivity and occupational safety. However, visual impairment remains a persistent and under-recognized challenge among this population. This study synthesizes existing literature from India to examine the prevalence of visual impairment among small-scale farmers, identify barriers to eye-care utilization, and assess the implications of poor vision for work performance and quality of life. A narrative review of peer-reviewed studies, government reports, and program evaluations published in the Indian context was undertaken,with particular attention to rural and agricultural populations.The reviewed literature consistently indicates a high burden of avoidable visual impairment, primarily due to cataract and uncorrected refractive errors. Despite the availability of effective and low-cost treatments, uptake of eye-care services among farmers remains limited. Key barriers identified across studies include financial constraints, geographic inaccessibility of eye-care facilities, low awareness of eye diseases, fear or misconceptions regarding treatment, and competing livelihood priorities. Several Indian studies further report that farmers with untreated visual impairment experience reduced work efficiency, difficulty in performing precision based agricultural tasks,and increased vulnerability to occupational injuries.Evidence from community-based outreach programs in India demonstrates that strategies such as mobile eye camps, vision centers, and locally supported referral systems can improve early detection and service utilization.