VISION is something that most people take for granted, yet, thousands of children in South Africa struggle with impaired vision, simply because they come from disadvantaged backgrounds. This was a frightening realization expressed by Professor Kovin Naidoo, of Brien Holden Vision Institute at the launch of the South African School Eye Health Project, held at Gateway Theatre of Shopping recently.
In an effort to address this urgent need the Brien Holden Vision Institute, Ster-Kinekor Theatres’ CSI Initiative, Vision Mission, the Provincial Departments of Health and Education and the South African Optometric Association (SAOA) have pooled their resources.
It is estimated that 80 per cent of what children learn is assimilated through their eyes, but only 20 per cent of children who need visual assistance have access to eye examinations, eye care and spectacles. This drastically impedes the child’s ability to learn, affecting the rest of their lives and ultimately keeping them in poverty.
While these statistics seem daunting it is positive to note that 60 per cent of children who have reduced vision can be assisted with corrective glasses. The project, launched on World Sight Day, aims to provide eye care services to thousands of disadvantaged pupils in five of the country’s provinces – KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
“Through the project we also hope to raise knowledge and awareness, and to educate teachers and parents on the signs of poor vision. Early detection is important, as there is a limited opportunity to correct their vision. Also, the sooner their vision is corrected the sooner they can build their confidence and receive proper education,” said Naidoo.
During the three-year project, the involved organizations aim to have more than 150 000 children examined, and to provide approximately 7 500 of those children with free spectacles.
Pupils at Karstuba Gandhi Primary School were some of the first to receive the free examinations and spectacles, who on the launch were invited to a special screening at the movie theaters in Gateway.
