Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R Venkatesh Selected for Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026

Key facts

• Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R Venkatesh from the Aravind Eye Hospital in Puducherry have been selected for the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award for 2026.
• The award is presented by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation to recognise service and compassion in the field of cataract blindness and disability.
• The presentation ceremony will be held during the ASCRS Foundation’s conference in Washington DC on 11 April 2026.
• The award includes a prize of $100,000, which is donated to the non-profit organisation of the awardee's choice.
• The doctors have earmarked the $100,000 cash prize for the Aravind Eye Care System.
• The Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award was instituted in 2017 and is endowed by a gift from David and Victoria Chang.
• Dr Haripriya Aravind serves as the chief of cataract and intraocular lens services, and Dr R Venkatesh is the chief medical officer at the hospital.