World Sight Day Celebrations

The Elite School of Optometry and the C U Shah Rural Eye Hospital facility of Sankara Nethralaya celebrated the World Sight Day on October 14, 2004.

Doctors at Sankara Nethralaya counseled and screened patients all day at the C.U. Shah Rural Eye Hospital. There were eight kiosks where information on the eye care and common vision related diseases were discussed. The public got to know more about Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Refractive error and LASIK, Pediatric eye care, and Computer Vision Care. There were several posters, exhibits and CD presentations at these kiosks as well.

A vision screening for over 503 students at the Shriram Primary School, Thiruneermalai was completed. A family eye card was given away to the students, to improve their awareness of vision care. At the Rural Eye Hospital, vision screening for 133 was also done.

About 70 children in two age categories under 12 years and above 12 years category participated in a painting competition at the Elite School of Optometry. The themes presented to them were "Eye and Vision." The paintings depicted Eye donation, proper eye care, vision as god’s gift to the mankind and showed the reach these messages themselves had with the next generation. All the children received participation certificates, and the Comprehensive Eye Checkup brochure.

An awareness program on vision care and direct contact with about thirteen schools and other companies in the vicinity of the Elite School of Optometry is also on.

As an extension to the event, beginning on October 14 through November 13, 2004, Sankara Nethralaya will conduct free cataract screenings, refractive error screenings and Glaucoma screenings for the public. The visit timings are 2 PM to 4 PM on all week days, from 9.30 AM to 12.30 PM on Sundays at the St.Thomas Mount – C.U. Shah Rural Eye Hospital premises.

The Lions Club Central partnered with Sankara Nethralaya to conduct the World Sight Day event.