Chennai, August 19
A total of 250 people from vulnerable families received free eye examinations at a health camp jointly organised by SOS Children’s Villages India and Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital in Tambaram, Chennai.
The one-day camp covered 150 children and 100 adults from neighbouring communities supported under the Family Strengthening Programme of SOS Children’s Villages India.
A team of doctors and clinical coordinators from Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital screened participants for vision-related conditions, including refractive errors, colour blindness and amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye. They also offered basic consultations and guidance on preventive eye care.
Participants requiring additional examination or treatment were advised to undergo further consultation. The organisers said the initiative was intended to facilitate early detection of eye disorders, particularly among children who may find it difficult to identify or communicate problems with their vision.
Karthikeyan, Corporate Relationship Head at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Chennai, said good vision was essential for a child’s learning, development and overall well-being. However, eye health was frequently overlooked in communities with limited access to regular screening services.
He said bringing eye examinations and professional guidance closer to vulnerable families could help identify vision problems at an early stage and improve awareness about preventive care.
Sumanta Kar, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages India, said timely intervention was crucial as children often struggled to explain eye-related difficulties. The partnership had enabled children and their parents to access screening and preventive care, he added.
SOS Children’s Villages India launched its Family Strengthening Programme in Chennai in 2009 with 75 families. The initiative seeks to prevent child abandonment by helping vulnerable households overcome poverty and achieve self-reliance.
The programme provides livelihood support and capacity-building assistance while conducting awareness activities on healthcare, child protection, safeguarding and financial savings. Organisers said the eye camp formed part of wider efforts to improve healthcare access and contribute to the overall development and quality of life of vulnerable children and their families.
