Comprehensive Eye Examination for Golf Caddies: An Initiative by the Optometry Confederation of India

Introduction:

Vision plays a pivotal role in the precision and coordination required in the sport of golf, not only for players but also for the golf caddies. Caddies, who are integral to the game, serve as the guiding eyes on the course, assisting players with club selection, course reading and distance judgment. Despite this essential role, eye health remains an overlooked aspect of their professional and personal well-being.

Recognizing this gap, the Optometry Confederation of India (OCI) organized a Comprehensive Eye Examination Program exclusively for golf caddies in collaboration with Aloka Vision Foundation at Bangalore Golf Club. This initiative was designed not only to assess their vision but also to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye checkups, especially among informal and underserved occupational groups.

Program Overview

The screening camp was conducted as part of OCI’s ongoing commitment to community eye health and preventive vision care. The event brought together qualified optometrists, community health practitioners, and volunteers who carried out comprehensive visual assessments, refraction tests, and ocular health evaluations.

Key Findings and Impact

A total of 104 golf caddies underwent comprehensive eye examinations. Of them, 72 caddies were prescribed with spectacles and 10 caddies were referred to base hospital for ocular conditions. The results of the screening revealed that a significant proportion of caddies had uncorrected refractive errors. For individuals who depend heavily on visual precision for their livelihood, such impairments can substantially affect their performance, accuracy, and even safety on the golf course.

Community Health Perspective

This initiative highlights the crucial role of community-based optometric outreach in bridging the gap between specialized healthcare and marginalized professions. Golf caddies, despite working in elite sporting environments, often lack structured access to healthcare benefits, insurance coverage, or occupational health programs.

By reaching out to this group, the Optometry Confederation of India reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive vision care—ensuring that no segment of society is left behind in the pursuit of clear and healthy vision.

“Healthy Vision, Empowered Lives — because clear sight drives every profession forward.”