School children undergo an eye examination at least once in 2 years under the aegis of the National Programme for control of Blindness. Sankara Nethralaya’s Elite school of optometry completed vision testing for a large number of school children studying in corporation schools on January 6th 2015. A total of 39 schools under Corporation Zone 9 spread over the localities of Alwarpet, Teynampet, Royapettah , Nungambakkam, Thousand lights , Triplicane and Mylapore were covered.
The students underwent an examination for refractive errors and also their binocular vision status and the general health of their eyes. Vision testing involved a three-phased structured protocol that consisting of basic vision screening, detection of refractive errors and referral for other ocular problems. A total of 2862 children were tested in one day across 39 schools. 22 Teams comprising of 190 members performed the vision testing in the school premises between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm. In 2012 Elite School of Optometry, Sankara Nethralaya created a national record in Limca book for testing 8469 children in a day. 111 (3.9%) will be given free spectacles and 120 (4.2%) were referred for other ocular problems.
Those identified with refractive errors were given an option of choosing their own spectacle frames, from a range of trendy and stylish models. This is to improve the compliance of spectacle wear, as cosmetic appearance is one of the major reasons for children not wearing their spectacles. Children identified with ocular problems like squint, ptosis and cataract were referred to Sankara Nethralaya for cost free treatment. Parents of children with vision problems will be informed of their children’s vision status and counseled. Spectacles will be distributed in 10 days time in the school premises itself and parents will also be invited to collect the spectacles. Lack of information to parents about their child’s ocular condition in the conventional school screening is one of the main reasons for poor compliance to spectacles and other treatment options.
“Sankara Nethralaya- Elite School of optometry’s screening aim to eliminate all these barriers and create a unique model in the school children vision testing henceforth” observed Ms. N. Anuradha, Vision Screening Coordinator, Elite School of Optometry. Creating awareness among all the stake holders and involving them as part of the screening, especially parents and teachers would create an impact on the school vision screening models” added Dr R Krishnakumar, The Principal, Elite School of Optometry.
For more details contact Dr R Krishnakumar- 044 2234 6023
EXCELLENT JOB. WISHING U ALL THE SUCCESS.