Bara, June 19 -- For years, Mitthu Devi Thapa Magar and her husband Krishna faced daily hardships of failing eyesight in a region with limited medical access. For this elderly couple there were no services close to their home in Nijgadh a town in Bara district along the Southern plains of Nepal.

But a community eye hospital that came into operation just minutes from their home brought back their sight and their independence. After losing vision in both eyes for five to six months, he could no longer perform simple tasks.

"After I lost my sight (to Cataract), I used to trip over the stones and tree branches lying on the road. Now (after surgery) I will work on the field taking care of the crops and plant seasonal flowers," 82 years old K...