Speaking at the inauguration of the Mehta Eye Institute's expanded facility at Colaba, the Governor disclosed that studies have shown the cure rate of operations conducted at such camps was only 50 per cent. ``Doctors and para medical staff who conduct these operations are not screened. Many a time the staff is ill-equipped to conduct such camps,'' he added.

Also, it has been observed that the volunteers for these camps do not give proper and adequate information to the patients before the operations are conducted, according to Alexander who also emphasised the importance of refresher course for doctors.

There are over 10 million visually impaired persons in India. However, because of inadequate facilities, particularly in the rural areas, theyare denied of proper treatment.

According to Dr Alexander, majority of cases of blindness are due to vehicle accidents. ``There are no proper eye tests for bus and truck drivers due to which even those with failing eyesight are allowed to drive buses which is a major cause of road accidents,'' he said adding that there was a great urgency for periodic medical, particularly eye check-up, for the vehicle drivers.

Speaking at the function, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi announced that the state government had started a scheme including free medicine for those who could not afford treatment of their affected eyes.

Dr Keiki Mehta whose new facility was being inaugurated, has also started Netra Rakshak -- the rural eye service wing of the Mehta International Eye Institute which is also a training centre for practitioners of eye care and surgery. The Netra Rakshak will be conducting free eye camps in rural Maharashtra.