The origins of Sankara Eye Foundation can be traced back to the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Medical Trust. By 1982, the activities of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Medical Trust had grown very diverse and grown well. At this juncture, the Acharyas advised Dr.Ramani to establish Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Medical Trust exclusively to oversee health related activities. A board of Trustees were appointed who have continued to guide its activities, ever since.
In 1985, a new chapter in the history of the Trust was waiting to be born: under the leadership of Dr. Ramani and the persuasion and deep commitment of many doctors, especially Dr. S.Balasubramaniam, the idea of focusing on a specialised area of medical care emerged. The incidences of preventable and curable blindness in India was very high during the 1980s and there was much that could be done.