LVPEI’s School Vision Screening Initiative for Early Detection of Eye Problems Among Children – Vijayawada

Vijayawada: Vision is essential for a child’s brain development, learning, and overall well-being. To ensure vision issues among children are detected and corrected early L V Prasad Eye Institute’s (LVPEI) Kode Venkatadri Chowdary (KVC) Campus, Vijayawada, is conducting school vision screening programs across schools in Vijayawada and neighboring towns and villages.

Current evidence suggests that nearly two out of every ten school-going children in India have myopia, and if the current trend continues, almost one in every two children could be affected by 2050. Myopia is emerging as one of the fastest-growing public health concerns worldwide. Increased screen exposure reduced outdoor activity, and prolonged near-work are contributing to children developing myopia at a younger age. If left unmanaged, high myopia can increase the risk of serious eye diseases later in life. Studies indicate that nearly three out of four children with myopia are not wearing the spectacles they need, primarily because their condition has never been identified.

As part of the school vision screening, trained eye care professionals screen school children for common eye disorders such as refractive errors, myopia (short-sightedness), amblyopia (lazy eye), squint, and other ocular conditions. Children identified with vision issues are referred for comprehensive eye examinations, including cycloplegic refraction based on requirement. Those requiring spectacles receive appropriate prescriptions for glasses. Early detection and correction of refractive errors enables children to better engage in the class, enabling better learning outcomes.

Children identified with eye conditions other than refractive errors are referred to ophthalmologists for further evaluation and management.  Early detection of eye disorders and timely intervention can significantly improve vision outcomes for children, ensuring their overall development.

Alongside the school vision screening, the LVPEI team conducts awareness sessions for teachers and parents, highlighting simple yet effective measures to protect children’s vision. These include encouraging outdoor activities, reducing unnecessary recreational screen time, and ensuring timely comprehensive eye examinations whenever a child has trouble seeing.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr Soubhik Chel, Consultant Optometrist, Myopia Specialist, and Head of the School Vision Screening Program at LVPEI, Vijayawada, said: “Many children are unaware they have a vision problem. Children with poor vision often struggle to read the blackboard, experience frequent headaches, or face difficulties in their studies simply because they cannot see clearly.  School vision screening plays a vital role in detecting these children early, ensuring timely treatment, and preventing avoidable vision loss.”

About the Initiative
The School Vision Screening Program is being organized by L V Prasad Eye Institute with the objective of enabling early detection of childhood eye problems, ensuring timely treatment, and creating awareness about children’s eye health among parents and teachers across Andhra Pradesh.

Schools interested in organizing a vision screening program may contact Mr Rajvardhan Mallipudi, (Administrator, Kode Venkatadri Chowdary Campus, Vijayawada) via email at rajvardhan@lvpei.org

About 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 the Prevention of Blindness.

In pursuance of this vision, LVPEI clinician scientists work at the cutting edge of eye research. Through its five-tier ‘Eye Health Pyramid’ and cross-subsidy models, LVPEI provides more than 50% of its services entirely at no cost to the patient, irrespective of the complexity of care needed. LVPEI is among the world’s top eye researchers with over 5,000 published scientific papers in prominent international journals. 

 For further information, please visit the Institute’s website, www.lvpei.org.

Contact: Aneetha Kanukolanu, Associate Director- Network Communications
Phone: +91 40 6810 2272
Email: aneetha.kanukolanu@lvpei.org
Website: www.lvpei.org