Mysuru: Sri Vivekananda Sevashrama and Usha Kiran Eye Hospital have become ray of light to 7000 school children by rectifying their eye problems. A total of 211 school kids even underwent free eye surgeries. On an average, four among 100 students have eye problems in rural areas. A study by the Sri Vivekananda Sevashrama and Usha Kiran Eye Hospital, which is holding the camps regularly in rural areas identified that the problems of rural kids is not different than urban kids. Sri Vivekananda Sevashrama and Usha Kiram Eye Hospital has studied the condition of the students since 2013 and tested vision of more than 2 lakh students. Among them, 6500 students who needed spectacles were given glasses free of cost while free surgeries were performed on 211 school students at Usha Kiran Hospital.

N Sethuram of Sri Vivekananda Sevashrama who is also a staunch follower of Vivekananda and his five member team conduct camp by going to different government schools not only across the district but also to neighboring districts like Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu. All these children underwent detailed evaluation by eye surgeon and the ones who needed surgery were assessed by team of anesthetists.

“For the last three years, 211 eye surgeries were performed which includes 84 cataract, 64 squint correction, 24 Ptosis, 6 Enucleation/Evisceration, 7 Dacryocystectomy, 2 Galucoma, 5 Vitrectomy and 3 Retina detachment. The whole programme is being done at no cost to children or parents though children’s eye care is a very expensive proposition more so children’s eye surgeries are very expensive as all surgeries have to be done under general anesthesia,” said Sethuram.

A year ago, 13-year-old Madappa, who is now studying in eighth standard at Government School in Kale Hundi in Nanjangud Taluk was facing lot of problem. He was not able to see the black board and was not even able to write the notes. This irritated him a lot and no one helped him till the volunteers from Sri Vivekananda Sevashrama came to school as part of eye screening camp. During eye screening, the doctors detected the defect in Madappa eyes and brought to their parents’ notice. The experts advised the parents for surgery on both the eyes. The surgery has changed the life of Madappa who is now leading a normal life.

It’s the same with Shabeen Taj, whose six-year-old daughter Mohammadi Aksa underwent squint correction surgery successfully.

All in all the great work of the organisations has brought smile on several young faces.