International award for LVPEI founder G N Rao

Hyderabad, Nov 17 (UNI) Dr Gullapalli N Rao, the founder of L V Prasad Eye Institute has been honoured with the International Blindness Prevention Award for the year 2006.

The award instituted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Las Vegas, USA, was presented to Dr G N Rao on November 11 for his significant contributions around the world for prevention of blindness or restoration of sight.

Dr Rao was selected for the prestigious Award in recognition of his work through the creation of L V Prasad Eye Institute and its impact throughout the world, as well as his key role in initiating and leading the Global Initiative to eliminate blindness around the world, VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, an LVPEI release said.

The only other Indian to have received this award was Dr G Venkataswamy, Founder of Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai.

Dr Rao is currently the Chairman, of LVPEI governing Board of Trustees. He is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees, President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). He is the first person to simultaneously hold these three positions in IAPB's 30-year history.

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