Sankara Eye Hospital address problems faced by visually challenged children

Bangalore, December 23, 2009: Sankara Eye Hospital (SEH), Bangalore in association with Sightsavers International, UK, today organized a panel discussion on ‘Key issues faced by Visually Challenged Children’. Dr Mahesh Shanmugam, Head Vitreaoretinal & Oncology Department of SEH, Nikki Rai, Program Manager, Nanna Kannu, Mr Gopal, Headmaster Government High School, Hoodi, Ms Dhanalakshmi, single mother with two daughters who were both born with vision problems and Sukanya & Mamata, both beneficiaries of Nanna Kannu Program, presented their views and observations. The discussion addressed the prevalence of eye disorders among children and challenges that visually impaired children face in their day-to-day lives. Panelists also provided answers to parents and teachers to deal with visually challenged children. Discussion on the feasibility of redesigning of infrastructure in schools to address the need of such children was also included. The panel discussion is a part of ‘Nanna Kannu’, a comprehensive initiative for children from the vulnerable population for vision defects by SEH in partnership with Sightsavers International and Government of Karnataka.

The event also saw the Launch of an Animation Film ‘I Learn What I See’, which pointed out how a small problem like Myopia or nearsightedness could affect the psyche of a child and his/her performance if left untreated. This in turn also influences the impression the child has on others.

Eye experts shared their thoughts on common eye disoders faced by children such as Myopia, Lazy eyes, Monocular vision (vision in one eye), Squint, Cataract, Diabetic Retinopathy & how their early detection would control the occurrence of these disorders among this age group. They also talked about methods to prevent the occurrence and aggravation of such problems.

According to Dr Kaushik Murali, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Director – Nanna Kannu Program, Sankara Eye Hospital, “Eye disorders in children are common and many of them can be cured with early detection. We have a comprehensive eye care program for children called the ‘Nanna Kannu’ Program. The project aims to provide preventive, curative and rehabilitative eye care for deprived children across Karnataka. Sankara Eye Hospital has until now reached more than 31,000 children who have been screened for eye problems and provided with further treatment wherever necessary. This initiative will now be spread out in other parts of the state in order to serve more needy children.”



According to Dr. Mahesh Shanmugam, Head Vitreaoretinal & Oncology Department of SEH, “Majority of children face preventable and curable eye disorder as 80 percent of blindness is curable. Early detection and regular eye check ups can prevent these disorders among them. It’s very important for a parent or a teacher of a visually challenged child to understand and support the child to deal with this problem.”

About Sankara Eye Care Institutions: With 8 state-of-the-art eye hospitals in Coimbatore, Guntur, Krishnankovil, Bangalore, Shimoga, Anand, Pammal and Silvassa, Sankara Eye Care Institutions delivers quality eye care through the “Gift of Vision” rural outreach eye care programme. So far it has conducted 7,594 free weekly eye screening camps, and performed in excess of 525,000 free eye surgeries. For more information you can visit www.sankaraeye.com.

The ‘Nanna Kannu’ initiative was launched in association with Sightsavers International and the Government of Karnataka to reach out to underprivileged children to screen and treat them for eye diseases. The programme hopes to benefit over 150, 000 children over the next three years. www.sankaraeye.com/nannakannu.htm.

About Sightsavers International, UK: Sightsavers International is a registered UK charity that works in more than 30 developing countries to prevent blindness, restore sight and advocate for social inclusion and equal rights for people who are blind and visually impaired. There are 45 million blind people in the world, 80% of all blindness can be prevented or cured. Since 1950, Sightsavers has restored sight to more than 5.65 million people and treated over 100 million. For more information you can visit www.sightsavers.org
For editorial queries only, contact Smriti/ Farha of PRHUB @ 22998141, 22483008/media@prhub.com