Isabelle Kohli, wife of Tej Kohli, discusses their shared vision to combat preventative blindness
Isabelle Kohli, the wife of billionaire investor and philanthropist, Tej Kohli, welcomes me into the central London offices of the Tej Kohli Foundation. The bright and modern space mirrors the ambition of the organisation she co-chairs with her husband, Tej Kohli.
As soon as we sit down, it becomes clear that this work is far more than just a professional commitment; it’s a cause she and her husband are deeply passionate about.
"Preventative blindness is one of the world's biggest solvable health crises," Isabelle explains. "But because it mostly affects people in low-income countries, it hasn't received the attention it deserves."
Her journey with the foundation began soon after meeting its founder. The couple’s whirlwind romance culminated in a star-studded wedding ceremony at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes. "It was beautiful," she reflects. "Mariah Carey performed, and we were surrounded by friends, family, and people who have been part of our journey."
It was during their engagement, however, the year prior, that Isabelle first stepped into the work of the Tej Kohli Foundation. A visit to a cataract care camp in Charamba, Nepal, proved life-changing.
"Seeing the impact of the Foundation’s work firsthand changed everything for me," she recalls. "I met people who had been blind for years, and with a simple, low-cost surgery, their world was transformed."
That experience deepened her commitment to the foundation’s mission. Now, as co-chair alongside her husband, Tej Kohli, she is determined to expand its reach, with an ambitious goal to cure at least 500,000 cases of cataract blindness by 2030.
"There are 40 million blind people worldwide," she says. "And the most frustrating part is that so much of that is avoidable. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness, yet they can be treated with a simple, low-cost surgery. The challenge isn't medical; it’s about access."
A scalable model for change
The foundation has made remarkable progress, having screened more than 270,000 patients, completed over than 48,500 surgeries, organised more than 100 outreach camps, and built partnerships with 15 hospitals across three countries.
Central to their approach is the pioneering work of Dr Sanduk Ruit, often called the 'God of Sight' for his development of a low-cost, high-volume surgical technique that has transformed the accessibility of cataract surgery in underserved regions. Dr Ruit's interventions have meant that restoring sight can take as little as seven minutes, and cost just $50.
"We work in places where there are no hospitals, no permanent infrastructure," Isabelle explains." But thanks to Dr Ruit's method, we can set up fully operational surgical camps in rural areas and perform hundreds of sight-restoring surgeries in just a few days."
These mobile surgical units are designed to reach the most isolated communities, providing a full spectrum of eye care. Patients are screened in their villages before being transported to surgical sites, where trained teams carry out the procedures. After post-operative care, they return home with their sight restored, often for the first time in years.
"It’s incredibly moving," she says, recalling some life-changing moments she has witnessed. "I’ve met people who thought they would never see their children again. Watching them recognise faces they haven't seen in years is indescribable."
The link between blindness and poverty
While the foundation’s primary mission is curing blindness, Isabelle is keen to highlight that their success has impacts far beyond individual sight restoration.
"Blindness isn’t just a medical issue," she says. "It’s an economic issue. A social issue. A generational issue."
In many communities, when someone loses their sight, their entire family is affected. Children are often forced to leave school to become full-time carers, while working-age adults are unable to earn a living, pushing families deeper into poverty.
"Blindness takes away independence. But when someone regains their sight, they can go back to work. Their children can go back to school. The economic impact is profound."
Studies show that a single cataract surgery can increase a patient's earning potential by 30 per cent, enabling them to return to work and support their families. The foundation’s efforts align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of ending poverty, recognising that tackling blindness is a critical step in breaking the cycle of deprivation.
"It's one of the simplest and most effective ways to create long-term economic change," Isabelle says, with the conviction of someone who has seen this reality first hand. "If we can make sure no one remains blind simply because they can't afford a procedure, we’re not just helping individuals - we're helping entire communities to thrive."
World Sight Day and raising awareness
Despite progress, blindness remains a largely overlooked global health issue. One of the foundation’s biggest challenges is ensuring the world understands the problem's scale and how easily it can be solved.
"A lot of people don’t realise just how many cases of blindness are preventable," Isabelle says. "That’s why raising awareness is a key part of what we do."
Each year, World Sight Day serves as a crucial moment to focus attention on the crisis. The foundation uses the occasion to expand access to eye care, hold free surgical camps, and advocate for policy change to ensure blindness eradication remains a global priority.
"In 2023, we launched new initiatives that allowed us to reach even more remote areas," she notes. "We're proving that large-scale change is possible if we focus on the right solutions."
Looking ahead
With so much progress already made, Isabelle is focused on what comes next.
"We’re scaling up," she says. "More outreach camps, partnerships, and investment in innovative solutions to make eye care accessible for everyone."
She is particularly interested in how technology can accelerate change, taking inspiration from her husband’s work in AI, fintech, and esports.
"Technology has completely transformed industries," she says. "Now, we need to apply that same mindset to philanthropy. We’re exploring AI-powered screening tools, blockchain for donation transparency, and ways to use digital platforms to connect donors with patients in real-time."
The next phase of the foundation’s work will be about expanding its reach and ensuring no one is left behind.
"This isn't about temporary fixes," Isabelle says firmly. "We want to create systems that will continue delivering care long after we've moved on. It’s about building a lasting legacy of change."
As our conversation draws to a close, she reflects on what drives her.
"I know we can fix this," she says with quiet determination. "We already have the solution. It's just about ensuring it reaches the people who need it."
With the milestones the Tej Kohli Foundation has already achieved, its most transformative work may still lie ahead. With Isabelle Kohli and her husband, Tej Kohli, both at the helm, there is little doubt that the foundation’s ambitious vision will soon become a reality.
Adrian Jennings is a writer for Comment Central.
