Vanavil - School Screening

A school eye screening programme

This joint programme organised by Rotary Club of Madras Fort, RI District 3230, with Sankara Eye Hospital, Pammal & Sightsavers, aims

• To screen a lakh of schoolchindren in the age group of 10-17 years for refractive errors, every year
• Train teacher volunteers to identify children with eye problems
• Examine children with suspected refractive errors
• Provide children from poor families with free glasses / surgery

Rotary organises printing of data sheets, training materials, arranging distribution of spectacles, hospitality, etc.

Sankara imparts training to the teacher volunteers, refracts children needing spectacles, transports staff and provides free surgery to the children affected with traumatic / congenital cataract.

Sightsavers has met the cost of 13320 spectacles since 2002.

Student population covered
Teacher volunteers trained
Students identified with refractive errors
Studetns distributed with free spectacles
Students underwent surgery

12.45 lakhs
1243
31832
31832
120

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Outcome

• Large number of undetected visual defects amongst schoolchildren has been identified and redressed.
• Mass coverage of student population made possible.
• Combined effort of the district administration, teaching staff and voluntary agencies produced commendable success.
• Patient - doctor interaction helped in creating an awareness of eye problems in children.