Hyderabad: Every year, Children’s Eye Care Awareness Week is observed across the L V Prasad Eye Institute network, to raise public awareness about various eye diseases in children. This year it is being observed across the network from November 7–14, 2024.
This year, the theme is “Childhood Cataract” An awareness walk is being organized across the network on November 10, 2024. The walk aims to raise awareness on childhood cataracts, their impact on children’s vision, and the importance of early detection and treatment and encourage parents to seek timely medical advice.
Thaman S, Indian composer and Playback singer and Vishva Karthikeya, Telugu Actor were the Chief Guests for the walk at the Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Hyderabad. About 300 children and parents participated in the walk carrying placards to create awareness about childhood cataracts. Thaman S expressed his pleasure at being made a part of this important awareness event and urged parents to “Catch Early, Act Early to ensure their children see clearly. It’s not about growing in life, but growing with responsibility of exploring what we can give back to the society is important. A white dot in the child’s eye is a cataract, while taking a photo if we spot a white dot in the child’s eye, it is important that we reach out to an eye specialist without delay, any delay can lead to a vision loss, he said.”
Vishva Karthikeya said, we are aware of cataract in adults, but kids too have the problem of cataract when eye develops between the ages of 6 to 8 years. Kids are the future of our country and it is our responsibility to ensure they are healthy, we need to identify cataract at the earliest and consult an ophthalmologist.
Several competitions and fun activities are being organized across the LVPEI network during November 7–14, 2024 – painting/fancy dress/elocution/clay modelling/ Braille reading/ pottery sessions. The activities are also open to children of employees.
The week-long celebrations will conclude on Children’s Day November 14, 2024 with a cultural program, prize distribution, magic show and an awareness talk on childhood cataract.
‘The outcomes are directly proportional to the stage at which it is diagnosed. Catch Early, Act Early to see Clearly. Childhood cataract can result in irreversible vision loss, if left untreated.’ said Dr Ramesh Kekunnaya, Head, Child Sight Institute, L V Prasad Eye Institute at the start of the walk. Cataract not only affects the vision but the overall development of the child. It is for us to ensure that none of the children miss on this opportunity and ensure a bright future for the child.
Dr Prashant Garg, Executive Chairman, LV Prasad Eye Institute; said, early detection ensures better outcome and this is particularly important for childhood cataracts. If the child doesn’t have clear vision, his brain development is affected. As healthcare warriors we have to ensure that our society is educated, once the society is educated, they have a better health. It is our responsibility to spread the message among public that how it is important for them to be conscious about some of the debilitating diseases and if they find anyone having that, they should act immediately.
About L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI)
Established in 1987, with the vision,” to create excellent and equitable eye care systems that reach all those in need,” the L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), a comprehensive eye health facility, is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Prevention of Blindness.
In pursuance of this vision, LVPEI clinicians and scientists work at the cutting edge of eye research. Through its five-tier ‘‘Eye Health Pyramid’ model, it has till date offered over 36.89 million services (3 crores 68 lakh services), with more than 50% entirely free of cost, irrespective of the complexity of care needed.
