World Sight Day (WSD) is an annual day of awareness to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. Dr. Veena Bhaskaran of Sankara Nethralaya backed by Lions Club International, organized a World Sight Day 2020 walkathon on Sunday, 11th October, 2020.

The Charity walkathon “Walk for Vision” aims to create awareness about preventable blindness. Participants went on a 5 km walk/cycle/run in the comfort of their home environments as per their fitness. Participants get an e-certificate and their selfies published on our social media wall on registration. Send us your selfies at walkforvision@snmail.org by 18th October, 2020 and your photo too will go up on our wall!

The Charity walkathon was met with enthusiastic participation from Sankara Nethralaya’s ophthalmologists, students, and the general public. More than 160 participants walked, ran, and cycled to help spread awareness of “Hope In Sight”, which is this year’s clarion call.

Among those who supported our “Hope for Vision” walkathon were Dr. Girish Shiva Rao, Dr. Geetha Iyer, Dr. L. Vijaya, Dr. R. Sujatha, Dr. Lingam Gopal, Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas, Dr. Jeyalakshmi Govindan, Dr. Elizabeth Sonu John, and Dr. Veena Bhaskaran. Many of our staff, a SWAN volunteer, and patients also participated in the walkathon on Sunday.

Once again, our long-time champion – Lions Club of Central Madras, District 324 A1 supported Sankara Nethralaya’s 4 decade long crusade against preventable blindness & organized a “Walk for Vision” walkathon at Natesan Park, T. Nagar.

Lion members led by President Ln Dr. T Elangovan, walked around the park in small groups following all the COVID-19 protocols and distributed pamphlets to the general public to create awareness about Diabetic Retinopathy.

President Ln Dr T Elangovan addressed morning walkers regarding the ill- effects of uncontrolled diabetes, which can result in Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). People living with diabetes should visit their Ophthalmologist at least once a year for a comprehensive Eye Examination.

Walkers present during the address thanked the club members for talking about this significant complication of Diabetes.

Sankara Nethralaya thanks our staff, patients, Lions Club team and everyone who participated in the Walkathon and spreading the message about Universal Eye Health.