According to a World Health Organization estimate, globally, around
19 million children are visually impaired, and 1.4 million of those
are blind. In India, the number is close to 8 out of every 10000
children.
Childhood blindness has got a great significance, since a child
suffers from more blind years than a blind adult. A blind child is
not only denied good education, but also the emotional and physical
support required to build a successful life for himself/herself.
The most common causes of blindness or poor vision in children are
uncorrected glasses power, vitamin A deficiency, lazy eye, squint,
cataract and glaucoma (eye pressure). Data shows that 50% of all
childhood blindness is preventable, provided it is diagnosed early
and given timely treatment.
With the Vision of Reducing childhood blindness in India, JNVR Trust
has been conducting school eye screening camps for the past 30
years. Our Mission is to Identify and treat vision problems in
children at an early stage.
A dedicated team of paediatric ophthalmologist, paediatric
optometrist and supporting staff conduct free eye screening camps in
both government and private schools all through the year. A complete
vision evaluation, followed by refractive error screening with the
latest instrument – SPOT Paediatric Hand-held Autorefractor is done,
followed by an ophthalmologist check.
Childhood eye problems, which are detected in such programs, are
directed to the attention of the parents, who can seek a paediatric
ophthalmologist review at the earliest. Glasses are also provided
free of cost, when required.
Our base eye hospital is equipped with a child-friendly department
and state-of-the-art technology, where we are committed to providing
good vision to children through therapy and surgery, if the child’s
condition demands it. Children who will not be able to visit an eye
hospital, will be taken by vehicle to the base hospital and provided
the necessary intervention free of cost. We also believe in good
follow-up, with multiple visits to the same schools to collect
feedback and adherence to treatment by the kids.
Along with the Corporation of Chennai, JNVR trust has conducted more
than 200 such regular free eye screening programs for children
studying in Government schools and Government aided schools every
year. By the year 2020, we are aiming to cover all Government
schools of Chennai Corporation and also extend our programs to
Kanchipuram district and further.
In order to continue this service to the children of our country, we
are in need of funds to sustain this program and give us relief from
economic restraint. This will allow us to push forward with renewed
vigor and motivation. We humbly request philanthropists, kind
hearted donors and corporates (as a part of CSR), to kindly donate
generously to our cause of reducing the burden of childhood
blindness in India.