Aravind Eye Hospital

Aravind Eye Hospital sits right on Avnish Road. It’s a busy stretch of road, so there is always the sound of horns and engines in the background. We spend our days looking at eyes, checking visions, and helping people find the right pair of spectacles. The clinic has big windows in the front, but we have to keep the blinds drawn in some rooms so the light doesn't mess with the eye exams. There are rows of plastic chairs in the waiting area, and they are usually full by ten in the morning. We have those charts with the letters that get smaller and smaller hanging on the walls. The doctors here are usually in a hurry, moving from one room to the next with their tools. We have a small area where we keep frames, and sometimes people spend ages trying on different styles. The floor is a bit scuffed from all the foot traffic over the years. We keep a big pot of tea in the back room for the staff. It’s a long day of peering into pupils and explaining why someone needs bifocals. We see people of all ages, from toddlers who don't want to sit still to elderly folks who have trouble seeing the curb. Avnish Road is a good spot for us because the bus stops close by. We just keep things moving as best we can every single day.