Special vision screening programs were conducted for the Irula community of snake-catchers, honey gatherers of Chengalpattu, and transgender communities in Kannagi Nagar, Chennai. The screening programs for the Irula community, honey gatherers and transgender communities benefited some 140 individuals. As many as 73 were identified to have an uncorrected refractive error, and 43 pairs of glasses were given at campsites.
Campaigns were also organized in Delhi and Chennai for school children and truck drivers in Namakkal and Bangalore, benefitting some 200 children and 421 drivers. As many as 273 drivers and 20 children were identified to have uncorrected refractive error. Earlier during the week, on October 8, IVI in association with Dr Agarwals collaborated to form a large human pair of spectacles at Elliot’s Beach in Chennai, creating a world record for such a formation. Some 500 students, citizens and children with visual impairment participated in the event which also included a blindfolded walk.
To mark World Sight Day 2023, IVI has pledged to directly vision screen 100,000 underprivileged adults and provide corrective glasses to those in need, August 1 – October 30, 2023.
IVI’s CEO Vinod Daniel said, “Our activities for these communities have a special significance. We thought it fit to include snake catchers and honey gatherers, who are miles away from the organized sector, in the ‘workplace’ category The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) has set this year’s theme to mark the day as Love Your Eyes at the Workplace. Several organizations partnered with IVI in the events, including the Great Lakes Institute of Management, Dr Agarwals, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and Equitas.”
“A pair of corrective glasses will make people more productive, secure their livelihoods, and also be able to work safely,” he said. “This is the third year that IVI is participating in IAPB's World Sight Day campaigns. We believe it will lead to more awareness of eye health issues and make a difference overall by securing commitments on vision health by governments, individuals, businesses, and not-for-profits”, Mr Daniel added.
