The VIIO Child Eye Care Project

In the light of driving spirit to fulfill the dream of our founder, that “No one shall go blind for want of money or lack of care” has further strengthened our child vision care activities. During this reporting period we have covered 8 schools, screened 1812 children, 209 children found with refractive error have been supported with providing spectacles free of cost. We have been able to cover 12schools (August 2016 to February 2017) out of 20 identified schools under our child vision care programme.

Apart from school screening camps our doctors visit Ophthalmology unit at Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health Centre for 3 days in a week. All those children who require surgically intervention / specialist evaluation are referred to base hospital. Such children are treated free of cost under this programme. Children who were treated were for the following diagnosis.

1. Congenital cataract- which refers to lens opacity present at birth. They cover a broad spectrum of severity; some lens opacities can produce profound visual impairment if left untreated.
2. Developmental cataract – which develops soon after birth. Cataract in childhood not only reduces vision but also interferes in normal vision development.
3. Vasoproliferative retinal tumour – it is a condition in which a mass of blood vessels grows in front of the retina, the neural lining of the back of the eye.
4. Aniridia + Glaucoma - It describes an extreme form of iris hypoplasia in which the iris appears absent Visual acuity is generally low. Glaucoma is a secondary problem causing additional visual loss over time. It requires specialized management. Because of poor visual acuity, low vision aids are very helpful. Lifelong regular follow-up care is necessary.