Goa, India: The Government of Goa has, for the first time, issued an advisory for annual myopia screenings at all government schools in the state, marking a significant step in advancing child eye care in India. This advisory follows the successful completion of one year of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation’s ‘Vision for All’ program in Goa, an initiative aimed at combating myopia among school children across the state.
Myopia, commonly known as near sightedness, is increasingly recognised as a global health concern, particularly among children. Launched in February 2023, the ‘Vision for All’ program has focused on early detection and educating school children, parents, and teachers about the importance of regular eye check-ups, proper eye care, and the potential long-term impacts of untreated myopia. Over the past year, the initiative has provided vision screenings to approximately 250,000 children in need and trained over 2,400 government school teachers to conduct basic visual acuity tests. Preliminary results have shown improvements in learning capabilities, attention spans, and confidence among students who received glasses through the program.
Key Points of the Advisory:
Annual Eye Examinations: Schools are encouraged to ensure that each student undergoes an eye examination for myopia at least once a year.
Training for Teachers: Teachers across Goa will continue to receive training to conduct basic visual acuity tests. This training aims to equip them with the skills needed to identify potential vision issues early and refer students for comprehensive eye examinations as necessary.
Educational Workshops: The advisory includes plans for workshops designed to educate students, parents, and teachers about myopia, its potential impacts, and the importance of regular eye check-ups. These workshops will be integrated into the school curriculum to promote awareness and proactive eye care.
Provision of Free Spectacles: Children identified with refractive errors during screenings will receive comprehensive eye examinations. If corrective lenses are required, the program will provide free spectacles to ensure every child has access to the vision correction they need.
Community Involvement: As part of the advisory, parents are encouraged to actively participate by ensuring their children attend scheduled eye exams and by supporting educational efforts at home.
Dr. Pramod Sawant, Honorable Chief Minister of Goa, said, “Promoting comprehensive healthcare for the children of our state is our core mission. This advisory is a landmark initiative that reflects our commitment to combating myopia at an early stage, i.e., in schools. By prioritising eye care and ensuring regular screenings, we are laying the foundation for a healthier, more informed generation.”
Dr. Swati Piramal, Chairwoman of the CSR Committee of EssilorLuxottica, remarked, “Good vision is the foundation of a child’s development, influencing their learning and overall quality of life. The advisory issued by the Government of Goa is a significant step forward, ensuring that this program’s impact will be both widespread and enduring.”
Dr. Krishna Prasad, Director of Prasad Netralaya, commented, “By collaborating with the government and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, we aim to provide early diagnosis and intervention for myopia, ensuring children have the best possible vision. Together, we can significantly reduce the burden of myopia and improve the quality of life for our future generations.”
Anurag Hans, Head of Mission at EssilorLuxottica & President of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, stated, “Vision health is a critical component of national health and a stepping stone toward a healthier future. The issuance of this advisory represents a pioneering effort in advancing eye care for children, and we congratulate the Government of Goa for enabling this. We hope this inspires other state governments to also prioritise vision care, given its strong link to educational outcomes in the classroom and overall quality of life of children outside it.”
The official advisory signing took place at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s office around 4 PM.
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