Manoj Banaita, Lahan, Jan 26 : Sagarmatha Chaudhary Eye hospital has started a school based eye- care campaign in Siraha. The campaign has been named as REACH ( Refractive Errors Among Children). The team of 8 optometrist have started their campaign in Lahan Manakamana English Secondary Boarding School. The team leader, Mr. Shrawan Chaudhary says ‘school-based eye-care interventions have the potential to provide high-quality and cost–effective services that allow the early detection of eye diseases and prevention of blindness, particularly for children of 6 to 18 age group.’
He, further, says, ‘We conducted a systematic review and qualitative analysis to identify and understand methods by which eye-care services for schoolchildren. Our analysis is guided by the availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality conceptual framework as presented in the hospital.’
According to the team members, a refractive error occurs when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina. This can be caused by a number of things, such as the length of the eyeball being too long or too short, changes in the shape of the cornea, or a result of aging.
The campaign is free of cost. It also provides free medication, glasses and needed operation for the children between 6 to 18.
The principal of Lahan Manakamana School, Badri Narayan Chaudhary thanked the team of Sagarmatha Chaudhary Eye hospital and said, “we hope similar campaign in future too.”