‘Child Eye Health INDIA’

India Vision Institute

Plot No 212, No 45, Palkalai Nagar,

7th Link Road, Palavakkam, Chennai - 600041

Tamil Nadu, India

Tel No +91 - 44 – 24515353

India Vision Institute (IVI) under its Eye See & I Learn initiative launched a project to screen the vision of 2,000

under privileged school children in greater Chennai in 2017. Those diagnosed with refractive errors will receive

free spectacles. The project is funded by Lane Cove Cricket Club Masters Team.

Vision screening programs were conducted for underprivileged children from 3 government and government

aided schools in the greater Chennai region. 857 children were screened and 53 free spectacles were provided.

School Vision Screening Project

Sl No

Date School Place/Town District State No of

Screened No of

Spectacles No of

Referrals

1 13-

Dec-17

Ellen Sharma primary School

Karappakkam Chennai Tamil Nadu

346 14 6

2 15-

Dec-17

Dhanalakshmi Primary School

Tondaiyarpet Chennai Tamil Nadu

281 32 12

3 18-

Dec-17

Chennai Primary School

Ayanavarm Chennai Tamil Nadu

230 7 0

Total 857 53 18

No. of Schools screened: 3

No. of underprivileged children screened: 857

No. of spectacles: 53

No. of children referred for higher care: 18

The remaining 1143 children will be screened from the orphanages and other government schools in Chennai in

association with Arcot Foundation by mid-March.

Case Studies

M Sujatha, 10 year old faced difficulties doing her regular chores both at home and at school. She often

felt annoyed as her eye strain turned to headache and hampered her focus on her studies. She suffered

from headache during her term exams and did not know that this headache was caused by her

uncorrected refractive error.

The spectacles provided by IVI (RE: +1.00 DS / -1.25 DC X 90; LE: +1.00 DS / -1.00 DC X 90) brought a

change in her vision and relieved her headache. She is now doing well in her studies and enjoys her

evening time playing with friends. She aims to become a teacher and help her neighborhood by providing

quality education.

G Sanjay, a 9 year old lost his spectacles a year ago but did not visit an eye care centre for purchasing a

new pair. He managed his daily activities and school work by taking help from his family and friends. He

found it difficult to manage board work and watching TV, so he started sitting closer to the board and TV.

This increased eye strain.

After undergoing IVI’s vision screening program, he was given free spectacles (RE: -2.50 DS; LE: -2.50 DS

/ -1.00 DC X 90) and was advised about the maintenance. He was also advised to visit a nearby eye care

every year to keep a watch on his refractive error. He now does his board work independently and does

not sit closer to TV any more.

Testimonials

We are extremely delighted with the school vision screening campaign conducted at our school by IVI.

They have not only distributed free spectacles but also provided eye care awareness to the children. As

some of the parents also attended the spectacle distribution event, it helped them understand their

children’s visual condition and they gained eye care awareness and tips about spectacle maintenance.

This activity will benefit our children who are from underprivileged backgrounds in their academics.

- Ms Jayashree, Headmistress, Ellen Sharma primary School, Chennai

The spectacles provided through the vision screening campaign are of good quality. The children, their parents and teachers are extremely happy as the program not only provided free spectacles but also referred children who needed further examinations to a nearby eye hospital free of cost. This provided them a comprehensive solution. - Ms Nalini, Headmistress, Dhanalakshmi Primary School, Chennai

Photographs from the program

Screening at Ellen Sharma Primary School Screening at Dhanalakshmi Primary School

Spectacle distribution at Dhanalakshmi Primary School Spectacle distribution at Chennai Primary School

Funding for the Optometry in India Program was kindly provided by Lane Cove Cricket Club Masters Team.