Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 23 (EMN): To draw spotlight on a key eye care profession and the critical role it plays in tackling uncorrected refractive errors (URE), the Nagaland Optometric Association (NOA) organised a training programme on ‘vision checking’ for the first time in the state to commemorate World Optometry Day on Tuesday.
The training programme was imparted to around 40 government school teachers at the directorate of School Education in Kohima.
Hitoli Khehoto Jimo, member of NOA, informed that the main cause of vision impairment and vision loss was due to uncorrected refractive error (URE) which affects people of all ages and ethnic groups; which "results in loss of education, employment opportunities, lower productivity and impaired quality of life".
She said that optometrists were the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection and diagnosis, management of diseases in the eye and rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.
She asserted that World Optometry Day is an occasion for optometrists to ‘reflect on the impact they have in the society and also to understand whether they are reaching out to more patients, more efficiently and more cost-effectively’.
Jimo informed that at present, there were more than 30 optometrists in the state, working in the private sector and as ophthalmic assistants in the government sector.
Meanwhile, Director of School Education, Shanavas C emphasised on the need to take care of one’s eyes, citing his experience of having vision defect at a young age, for which he had to wear glasses to school.
He shared that people were ignorant about vision problems and failed to realise the damage done by straining one’s eyes. He, therefore, expressed hope that the initiative taken by NOA would help teachers get a basic idea about checking the vision of their students in the schools.
Shanavas also requested NOA to train teachers for the same at more schools in Kohima, as it will benefit students in the long run.
Kilin Noswe, assistant general secretary of NOA, also expressed hope that teachers would be able to recognise the difficulties faced by the school-going children with poor eyesight and suggest collective measures with the help of an eye care provider.
During the session, Porenthung Odyuo, convenor of NOA, said that the training programme was imparted to identify and refer students with vision problems and generate awareness among parents, teachers and children about refractive error and the compliance on the use of corrective spectacles.
Odyuo also highlighted the impact of uncorrected myopia in children which leads to poor performances in studies. He demonstrated how teachers can conduct visual acuity test in the classroom and provide visual task demand of students, reduce their visual stress and accommodate mild to moderate visual impairment in a normal classroom.
NOA was formed in 2018 and has been approved by the state government. While the registration of the association is under process, there are currently 36 members, most of who are working in the private sector as optometrists.
Steps for school eye screening:
1. Vision screening should be carried out in a bright room, preferably a room of at least 22 feet length.
2. The children from the class should sit apart while doing the test to avoid prompting or memorising of charts by the students.
3. The snellen chart should be pasted at a height of 5 feet.
4. Take a measurement of 20 feet or 6 metre from the snellen chart and mark it.
5. From the marking point which is 20 feet or 6 metre from the chart the child has to stand or sit for the test.
6. Cover the left eye with palm (avoid pressure) and the child should read the alphabet with the right eye.
7. If the child can read all the alphabets till the last line, the vision is good. If the child is missing letters or not able to read till the last line, the child has to be referred to an eye care professional for proper evaluation and management.
8. Repeat the same for the left eye.