India Vision Institute (IVI) has launched a major screening program for industrial workers in Chennai.
The screening program recognises the need for serving workers in industrial units and raise productivity levels in the workplace. The screenings will benefit some 25,000 workers. Those found to have refractive errors will be provided free spectacles.
The campaign, supported by Luxottica India, was formally launched on July 31 by Mr Gunashekaran, Chennai Area Manager, Luxottica, and IVI’s CEO Vinod Daniel. The screenings on the launch day covered Injambakkam and Valluvar Nagar areas. In176 screenings, 94 people identified with uncorrected refractive errors will be given glasses. Twenty-three individuals received spectacles on the spot, and 52 were referred for further examination. Some 250 screened earlier as part of the program received prescription glasses at Injambakkam.
Mr Daniel said “screenings will be conducted as per strict Covid protocols and government guidelines including physical distancing and wearing of PPE kit by IVI staff.” “I thank Luxottica India for their support to IVI for the screening that will fulfil a long-felt need of this section of the community,” he noted.
Luxottica India’s Country Manager Akash Goyle said, “Luxottica India is pleased to be associated with this program as it will benefit workers with improved vision through corrective glasses and also enable them to see better and work more efficiently, as well as improve their quality of life.”
The screening campaigns are being conducted at Injambakkam, Valluvar Nagar, Velachery, New Perumbakkam, Chemmanchery, Medavakkam, Thiruvanmiyur, and Pallikarnai areas of Chennai.
“The burden of vision loss globally is acute. Across the world, governments, people, corporates and NGOs have realised the need for urgent intervention to ensure access for 1.1. billion people who currently lack eye services, by 2030.” “The adoption of the ‘Vision for Everyone’ resolution by the UN General Assembly will help the developing world address the increasing impact of vision loss on economic and social development,” Mr Daniel added.
Over 90% of the 1.1 billion people worldwide with vision loss live in low- and middle-income countries; with 55% of blind people being women and girls.
