New Virohan-Lenskart program offers classroom-to-clinic pipeline for job-ready eye care professionals
No hurdles, no headaches—just a straight path to a career in eye care. Virohan and Lenskart have officially launched the SureStart Program, a new initiative pairing academic optometry degrees with paid internships at more than 2,000 Lenskart stores.
Rolled out in May 2025 across select Virohan campuses, the program blends academic instruction with real-world training to address one of India’s most urgent workforce needs: accessible, high-quality vision care.
Closing the skills gap with a clear vision
India faces a growing shortage of trained optometrists. The World Health Organization recommends at least 44 health workers per 10,000 people to ensure adequate care access, including allied health professionals like optometrists. India’s numbers fall well below that target, especially in rural areas.1
READ MORE: India: Exploring Optometry in One of the World’s Most Populous Countries
Rising rates of uncorrected refractive errors, screen-related eye strain and aging populations are driving up demand for skilled vision care providers. At the same time, many graduates of existing academic programs report limited clinical experience or unclear career paths.
SureStart addresses this challenge with a single, direct offering: aligned education and applied training that lead directly to employment in the eye care sector.
Books, benches and bifocals
Students in the SureStart Program can choose between two accredited academic tracks:
- A three-year B.Sc. in Ophthalmic Techniques
- A four-year Bachelor of Optometry
Both paths balance classroom learning with skill-based training that mirrors real-world demands. Students will study everything from ocular pathology and contact lens technology to binocular vision, low vision aids and optometric procedures.
But what sets the program apart isn’t just the curriculum, it’s the integration of industry immersion. Participants will attend guest lectures by seasoned professionals, gain firsthand exposure through Lenskart store visits and receive targeted prep for success in a fast-paced, tech-driven clinic environment.
“The SureStart Program with Lenskart is a big step toward giving students the right skills, hands-on experience and a clear path to a secure job from day one,” said Nalin Saluja, Co-Founder and CTO of Virohan.
Two degrees, one destination
Each SureStart participant gains access to a paid internship at one of 2,000+ Lenskart locations across India. This direct exposure to professional practice builds essential workplace readiness, from patient interaction to technical service delivery.
Whether fitting contact lenses or managing vision assessments, students operate in real clinical settings alongside experienced practitioners. The internship experience also improves job confidence, offers income while studying and increases employability from the moment of graduation.
READ MORE: Rise of the Contact Lens: This Modern Marvel of Eye Care Continues to Thrive
“Skilled professionals are at the heart of our mission to make quality eye care accessible to every Indian,” said Peyush Bansal, Co-Founder and CEO of Lenskart. “Through the SureStart Program in partnership with Virohan, we are creating a workforce ready to lead the way in vision care.”
The company’s rapid expansion has created significant demand for skilled staff who can do more than sell glasses.2
When healthcare meets hustle
This program draws from the strengths and capabilities of both partners. Virohan has established itself as a respected provider of healthcare education, training thousands of students in diagnostics, hospital operations and allied health. Lenskart, meanwhile, brings scale, infrastructure and technical excellence as India’s leading optical brand.
Together, they’ve developed a training model that directly connects education with employment. By removing common obstacles like unclear job pipelines, outdated instruction, lack of industry contact, SureStart offers students a structured, future-facing path into healthcare.
READ MORE: The Art of Collaboration: Can Shared Expertise Lead to Better Vision?
A model with legs and lenses
SureStart is currently operating across select Virohan campuses, with a nationwide expansion already in progress. As the program scales, it’s expected to increase the supply of skilled optometrists, expand care access in underserved communities, and strengthen India’s optical services sector overall.
The framework established here comprising practical education, paid internships and industry integration could serve as a model for other health training initiatives in India, including audiology, diagnostics and preventive care.
A SureStart and a strong finish
In a country where millions still lack access to basic eye care, the SureStart Program brings something India urgently needs: a clear, job-ready path for future optometrists.
With applied training, paid internships and a curriculum aligned with employer needs, the program offers a clear path for students and a boost to India’s optical care system. The partnership appears to be headed toward more campuses, more graduates and more clinics filled with competent professionals.
For the eye care sector, it’s a win-win. Students ready to step into the future of vision care get skills and stability. Companies get trained talent. And patients, especially those in under-served communities, get better access to timely, affordable vision care.
Editor’s note: Read the official press release on the SureStart Program from Virohan and Lenskart.
References
- World Health Organization. Health workforce requirements for universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. Human Resources for Health Observer. 2016;(17). Available from: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/250330
- Inc42. Lenskart eyeing $10 Bn valuation in IPO: report. 2024. Available from: https://inc42.com/buzz/lenskart-eyeing-10-bn-valuation-in-ipo-report/
