Establishing Centers for Low Vision

The recent statistics from WHO reveal that India has 54.4 million people who are visually impaired and require low vision services. In the absence of low vision care, they are considered blind and trained in Braille and other vocations for the blind, therefore have limited opportunities and increase the economic burden. Studies show that 50% of children in blind schools are low vision. It was identified that lack of human resources and absence of low vision services was among leading causes. Lotus College of Optometry in collaboration with Association of Schools and College of Optometry trained human resources for providing low vision services and establishing low vision centres. We have trained Optometry educators and have set up low vision practices in partnership with Sightsavers over 30 optometry schools across India.

Implementation of project

This program was designed with concept of identifying Optometry educators from various schools and colleges of Optometry, train them to teaching low vision to optometry undergraduates. Thus, like a multiplier effect, every low vision educator trained, they will in turn train 15-20 optometrists who can render low vision services. As a part of low vision training, screening and evaluation of patients would be done, thus also rendering the much needed services.