Comprehensive Screening Eye Camps by FdnF-SEVAI Gowens Health Unit.

Tamil Priya examines  patients for eye problems

Nagapatinam: 8: March-2011: The FdnF –SEVAI Gowens Health care unit (made up of Ophthalmologists and paramedical) examines all patients for eye problems with basic required instruments and equipments which includes dilation and fundus examination to some extent. Refraction is also done in the camp and eyeglasses are offered to support the service delivery system. People who need cataract surgery are counseled and transported to the base hospital. No surgery is performed at the camp. The eye screening camps were organized free, comprehensive eye screening camps women self help groups and also public in tsunami affected areas. Over 370 persons were screened for vision problems on World Women’s day. The screening showed 15% of the people having a significant visual defect. 5% of them had surgical conditions requiring treatment. Around 14% of the drivers screened suffered from visual problems and were given glasses or advised detailed examination. Over 60% of the people tested had no awareness about the importance of eye health. The eye screening programs were utilized as an opportunity to create awareness among the public about the importance of eye health and good eye health practices.“High risk groups form a vulnerable and unique group of workers with high dependence on vision due to long and irregular working hours, high degree of strain on eyes, frequent problem of glare and bright light, high frequency of travel on highways needs eye health’ said Tamil Priya,eye care educator. She further said that “It is estimated that approximately 90% of our daily activities require the use of our vision. The eyes control most of our movements and decisions. With good vision and visual comfort we can maintain concentration. Vision problems are usually worse at night; Colour plays an important part in road safety. Drivers must instantly recognize traffic lights, indicator signs, hazard warning lights and stop lights, and people with colour vision defects may be slower in reacting to them. This can be dangerous to both you and other road users”, she added. In Eye care screening camp, Durga, eye care health educator created awareness among the participants of the camp and said “Globally, uncorrected refractive error is the main cause of vision impairment in children aged 6–15 years, and the prevalence of short-sightedness is increasing dramatically among children. Outreach in schools concentrates on refractive error, which can lead to lack of academic success in school. Students with other eye ailments are also noted and referred to the base hospital. The FdnF –SEVAI Gowens Health care unit also trained the Animators of the Self Help groups and enlightened about the basic anatomy and physiology of eye, common eye disorders among the children and visual acuity measurement. ‘A child goes blind somewhere in the world every minute, yet much childhood blindness is preventable or treatable. Paediatric screening eye camps target babies and preschool-aged children and their parents, to educate about prevention (measles, harmful traditional eye remedies, eye safety) and to detect eye defects (congenital or traumatic), childhood illnesses and nutritional deficiencies that can lead to blindness are, vitamin A deficiency, corneal scarring, congenital and traumatic cataract, congenital glaucoma and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), serious refractive errors’ Durga concluded. Kris