Sankar Foundation Eye Hospital was established in 1997 and is part of Sankar Foundation, a Public Registered Charitable Trust that was founded in 1984 by Sri A Sankar Rao . It has 7 full time Ophthalmic surgeons, supported by 85 paramedical and administrative staff. Currently the hospital has 45 beds and 60% of the total surgeries are done for the poor, which are totally free of cost. Sankar Foundation caters to 10 Million population covering three districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and some parts of coastal districts and borders of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.

The Foundation was the result of the Vision of Shri A Sankar Rao who has had a successful entreprenuerial career. Currently Sri Sankar Rao is the Founder and Managing Trustee and apart from him the foundation is honoured to have on its board of Trustees several eminent people of Visakhapatnam.

Major Milestones in the Saga of Sankar Foundation

	First surgery conducted on 7th June 1997
	Recognised as the best Social Organisation by the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh in 2002
	Recognised as Training Institute by Govt. of India to impart training to Ophthalmologists in IOL Techniques in 2002.
	Started Retina Division in 2003
	Accepted by Sight Savers International (Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind) and CBM International, Germany, as an Indian Partner.
	Completed 70,574 surgeries as on 30th April 2007.
	Started Cornea Division in the year 2004.
	Started Paediatric Ophthalmic Division in 2004.
	Andhra Pradesh State Govt. has alienated 2 acres of land to Sankar Foundation in 2004 for the construction of an integrated Hospital Complex.
	Ground Breaking Ceremony by Sir John Major, Mr. Mervyn Davies and Dr. G.N.Rao on 9th March 2005,for the New Hospital Building.
	BBCWORLD showcases Sankar Foundation predominantly in the documentary entitled ‘Seeing is Believing' telecasted on 8th October 2005.
	Construction of State of the art New Eye Hospital started in the year 2006.
	Standard Chartered Bank grants Rs 2.27 Crores as partial aid for Construction of the New Eye Hospital.
	Govt of AP waives 50% of the notified charges on the building plan approval.