Australian university distributes spectacles to underprivileged children in Hyderabad

A senior UNSW delegation was also present. This distribution follows a programme that screened the vision of 434 underprivileged school children from schools and orphanages in Hyderabad including APMWS, Rainbow Homes, Falaknuma, Shree Education Society, Sultan Pura, APSA Rainbow Homes, Chudi Bazar, and Government Girls High School, Ahmednagar.

“I am glad that we could give the gift of good vision to these school children. Without good vision, a child’s education and future can be severely impaired. A pair of spectacles makes a big difference in their lives”, said  Vinod Daniel, CEO of India Vision Institute (IVI).

“IVI has screened the vision of over 40,000 disadvantaged children so far, and we plan to screen the vision of another 40,000 underprivileged children across India in the next 6 months through our Eye See & I Learn campaign”, he added.

“Uncorrected refractive error is a widespread health problem that can and must be addressed to ensure a better future for those affected, especially children. This also plays an important part in the future of the nation.” said Dr G N Rao.

Professor Ian Jacobs said: "UNSW is a long standing partner of IVI and I am delighted to participate in this important initiative which is taking practical action to improve the lives of children from disadvantaged communities by providing a very simple gift of spectacles."

India Vision Institute (IVI) is an independent, not-for-profit registered trust established in 2012, an initiative of the LV Prasad Eye Institute of Hyderabad and the Brien Holden Vision Institute (UNSW), Sydney.

It is focused on supporting and promoting eye health awareness, research, education and technological development in Indian optometry to advance capacity in vision correction and prevention of eye disease and blindness.