Dr. Brien A Holden, CEO, Brien Holden Vision Institute, and lecturer, University of New South Wales visited the Elite School of Optometry on April 10, 2010. Students had an interactive session, which was informative and thought provoking. Dr. Brien is a well-known researcher in areas related to the eye.

Walk: A walk by the school students emphasizing “Child Eye Care was inaugurated by the famous Theatre and Film artiste, S Ve. Shekher on Saturday. 485 students from various schools of Chennai and South west Chennai scouts and guides participated with their band team. Students carried placards and shouted slogans on child eye care and other eye care topics. Thiru S. Ve. Shekher and Mr. Ravindran, CGM, Sankara Nethralaya waved the flag. All the students received certificates.

Tamil Vision Testing Chart: Thiru S. Ve. Shekher also unveiled a vision testing chart near the entrance of Dr. V G Appukutty campus. Any person can test their eyes for vision problems on their own. This is installed by Elite School of Optometry in public interest to create awareness among the public about eye ailments.

Training Session: 19 teachers and 57 students underwent training on how to conduct Basic Vision Screening. These teachers and students will be ‘Ambassadors for Vision care’ and they were all given certificates for the training session.

Competitions: 460 students participated in different competitions [Drawing, Extempore, Crossword, Essay, Placard, Models and Quiz] and won prizes in the different categories. All the winners received certificates and prizes.

Competitions for the Visually Challenged: Chess competitions and cricket competitions for the visually impaired were conducted and were given prizes and certificates.

Free Vision Screening Camp on 23.01.10 and 24.01.10: Of the 683 people screened 260 were identified for vision problems and other eye disorders. 95 received glass prescriptions immediately. Students were given a Vision care Card indicating the status of their eye health and they were asked to gift the card to their parents for a free vision screening the next day.

Eye Donation: Pledge cards were issued immediately to people who signed the forms for eye donation. 110 people pledged their eyes on the two days.

Dora and Bujji Show was a special show for the students on Eye Injuries and Lazy Eye. Children went back home with a clear message on the two topics.

National Institute for the Visually Handicapped (NIVH), Chennai participated & created awareness on support system available for visually challenged in this country.

Experts on Vision Therapy, Low Vision Care, Diabetes and Eye, Glaucoma, contact lens, computer vision were available for counseling the patients and public were happy to receive expert opinion.

A video on Eye Donation and Diabetes and Eye were put for the students.

More than 25 Posters on various eye care topics were on display.

Information about ESO and facilities of Sankara Nethralaya was given to the public.

Teleophthalmology vehicle was available for two days. Students and public were thrilled to see the facilities of the vehicle and the service offered by Sn to the rural masses.