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Eye care for children
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Preventing blindness and detecting vision defects among children are the objectives of a project undertaken by a city hospital.
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VISION MISSION: Dr. Chandrasekar examines a boy as Gary and Sparla Spears look on.
A CHILD might have to go through the agony of blindness if vision defects and eye diseases are not detected early. Even the World Health Organisation has given priority to the reduction of childhood blindness in its "Right to Sight Initiative". With a view to taking eye care to children, the K G Eye Hospital has launched "Everything for Child's Vision" project.
Under it, an ophthalmologist visits all elementary schools covered by the project and screens the children free of cost. "Nearly 50 per cent of childhood blindness is avoidable, but many a time it goes unnoticed and becomes irreversible," says Dr. D. Chandrasekhar, Chief Ophthalmologist of the Hospital.
As per the scheme, children with defective vision or other eye problems will be taken to the K G Eye Hospital and a prescription for medical treatment and spectacles given. If necessary, surgery will also be performed. "Surgeries will be done free for those who cannot afford the treatment costs," Dr Chandrasekhar says, adding that the project, launched in December 2002, would cover 1.5 lakh elementary school children in three blocks over a period of three years.
Many causes of childhood blindness like Vitamin A deficiency, measles, rubella and meningitis also contribute to child mortality. However, they can be prevented through vaccination and treatment, he explains. "We have screened about 1,000 children so far and noticed refractive errors and vitamin A deficiency. These errors can be corrected. If the children wear spectacles, it helps improve their academic performance," observes the ophthalmologist.
Assistance has also come in from the US-based Latter-Day Saint Charities (LDSC) through its volunteers Gary and Starla Spears, who have contributed a vehicle for the project.
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
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