By a Special Correspondent
India Vision Institute in association with JSW Foundation has launched vision screening programs that will benefit over 10,000 underprivileged people and nearly 14,000 children in Tamil Nadu.
The programs were launched recently at Ennore, Chennai and Dharapuram in Tirupur district. JSW was represented at the launch at Ennore by Murali Rao, AVP, Operations, Srinivasan, General Manager, RM Palaniappan, DGM, HR, Bharathi Palaniswamy, Regional Coordinator, as well as senior managers from IVI.
A campaign for vision screening 13, 700 children in Salem is also being initiated simultaneously.
Some 7,300 people in Dharapuram and 2,700 individuals in Ennore will be vision screened. Over 4,100 in Dharapuram may need refractive correction and will be provided free corrective glasses, and another 1,485 are expected to require glasses in Ennore. People who require refractive error correction will be provided a pair of spectacles. Those identified with other eye conditions will be referred for appropriate intervention and treatment to a tertiary eye care facility.
IVI’s CEO Vinod Daniel said, “The programs launched in Ennore and Dharapuram are part of the Eye See & I Work initiative. Through this program, IVI has been working to provide access to primary eye care services to remote corners across India. “
“A pair of corrective glasses can help change lives through improved vision that would contribute to better livelihood opportunities and productivity. The two programs will also focus on awareness about good eye health and practices to not only help individuals but also families and the community at large,” he added.
About India Vision Institute
IVI is an Indian not-for-profit NGO with the vision to provide access to primary eye care for the underprivileged and a pair of corrective glasses to every Indian in need of one. Our outreach and advocacy activities also include awareness generation, engaging communities, schools, partner institutions and others through talks, education, skill enhancement, and leadership development. Since 2012, IVI has helped change lives in 22 states of India. Through providing better vision and a pair of free corrective glasses, our Eye See and I Learn and Eye See and I Work programs help, respectively, school children do well in studies and adults in being more productive, ensuring their safe and secure livelihood. Vision and Road Safety is another priority for IVI and involves working with corporates/organizations on screenings and provision of free spectacles for commercial vehicle drivers. Beneficiaries have included women, children, transgender communities, workers, fisherfolk and weavers.
