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World Optometry Day: IVI highlights critical role of optometrists for India's primary eye care needs

 

World Optometry Day: IVI highlights critical role of optometrists for India\'s primary eye care needs 

Today, March 23, being World Optometry Day India Vision Institute (IVI) is combining both the day and the week with a range of activities to highlight the important role of optometry in the eye care sector. 

The week’s focus will be on myopia and presbyopia, as well as on protecting people’s eyes from harmful UV rays and professional work hazards. More than 10 crore Indians cannot see or see well because they do not have access to a pair of glasses.

“This week, we are providing 3,000 sunglasses to fishing communities and traffic police personnel in Chennai, and 1,500 safety glasses to stone sculptors in Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. We thank VisionSpring for this support.” said IVI’s CEO, Vinod Daniel.

Vision screenings are being conducted in Salem and Chennai for underprivileged communities. An industry forum of senior Indian ophthalmic industry representatives is being held during the week to focus on issues concerning the eye care sector. A panel session on how ‘Every Indian can have access to a pair of glasses by 2050 was also organized.

“With myopia becoming a major concern, IVI will work with partners to manage myopia, help create awareness, and provide ground-level support through screenings,” said Mr Daniel.

“We are happy the commemoration coincides with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2020 being passed by the Rajya Sabha, to be taken up in the Lok Sabha. The Bill is a pathbreaking initiative that will bring standardisation of the Ophthalmic Sciences profession, in addition to ushering in reforms in the education system for professionals,” Mr Daniel noted. 

About India Vision Institute

India Vision Institute (IVI) is an Indian not-for-profit nongovernmental organization (NGO) whose activities span the length and breadth of India, including in 20 states of the country. For the prevention of avoidable blindness, we work through timely intervention in providing access to vision screenings and the provision of free spectacles in disadvantaged communities and remote areas. Our Eye See & I Learn and Eye See & I Work campaigns reach constituencies where services are lacking and most required – notably children and adults. IVI has undertaken over 1,000 vision screening programs in and around Chennai and other states in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, New Delhi, Odisha, Pondicherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Over 365,423 individuals from the underprivileged communities (including 284,011 children) have been screened and free spectacles distributed to 60,537 individuals (including 27,979 children). IVI also works to upgrading optometrists’ skills and building capacity and equip optometrists to cope with challenges in their careers. We organise advocacy, talks, education, skill enhancement, and leadership development programs. 

 

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