World Sight Day is a global event observed annually on the second Thursday of October, meant to draw attention on blindness and vision impairment. Today, about 36 million people across the globe are blind, in which every Four out of five cases of blindness are avoidable. That means 80 percent of people who are blind should not have lost their sight. Another 217 million people have moderate to severe vision impairment (MSVI). This means they are not completely blind, but have limited vision. (Lancet 2015). Measures like education on eye health, regular eye check-ups are very much required to prevent the blindness and vision impairment.

Image-8 students doing torch light examination

On the occasion of World Sight Day and with an Intention to take preventive measures against vision impairment, among University of Hyderabad, Integrated MSc Optometry and Vision Sciences students along with the faculty from School of Medical Sciences have conducted a two-day vision screening programme for campus schools students.

Image-3 Students training the children with Tumbling E optotype in screening

Students from 2nd, 3rd and 5th year of IMSc optometry and Vision Sciences along with research scholars under the supervision of Dr. Rishi Bhardwaj, Dr. Konda Venkata Nagaraju, faculty and Clinical Instructor Mrs Spandana, performed vision screening for nearly 360 students which includes all the sections of kindergarten and 1st, 2nd standard in KV campus school on 3rd and 4th October 2018.

Image-6 tudents measuring colour vision of children

Students divided themselves into groups, arranged all the instruments and equipment required into stations to carry out an efficient screening program. Tumbling E chart response training was given to children before screening procedure.

Image-5 Students measuring colour vision of children

A brief history of the child was taken with the help of class teachers, following that, a preliminary eye examination was carried out which includes, Visual acuity (Near and Distance), Colour vision, Torch light Examination to examine ocular adnexa, anterior chamber, Cornea, pupils, iris pattern.

Any patient having distance visual acuity of 6/9 or less, poor near visual acuity, abnormal colour vision and any abnormality found on torch light examination were referred to Optometry Clinic at School of Medical Sciences for complete examination.