Social Services

World Sight Day, 2023- "Love Your Eyes at Work"!

Report on World Sight Day Celebration Eye Screening Program: "Vision for Everyone: See a Brighter Tomorrow!"

Session - P1

This year World Sight Day falls on 12th October, 2023. In 2023, the World Sight Day Theme is “Love your eyes at work”, a global call to all corporate leaders to prioritize their worker's eye health and understand the importance of vision at the workplace. This year, on the 12th of October, 2023, the global community will once again come together to celebrate World Sight Day. This annual event is a significant occasion dedicated to promoting eye health awareness and preventing avoidable blindness worldwide. Each year, World Sight Day focuses on a specific theme, and for 2023, the theme is "Love your eyes at work."

Maintaining good vision in the workplace is of utmost importance, as it places a high priority on the well-being of workers. Having healthy eyes not only enhances your work commitments but also serves as a powerful motivator, enabling you to consistently deliver your best work on time.

Love Your Eyes at Work!

"Love your eyes at work" serves as a compelling global call to action, urging corporate leaders and employers to prioritize their workers' eye health and emphasize the critical role of vision in the workplace. This theme highlights the essential relationship between good vision and workplace productivity, safety, and overall well-being.

Essentiality To Get Your Eyes Checked:

In today's fast-paced and technology-driven world, the demands on our eyes are greater than ever. All our work evolves around Computer screens and our eyes are just stuck to the computer screens. From staring at computer screens for extended hours to working in challenging environmental conditions, eye health is a paramount concern for all employees. The theme underscores the idea that ensuring a good vision isnot just an individual responsibility but a collective one, with employers playing a crucial role in this endeavor.

World Sight Day Evolves Different Activities:

World Sight Day 2023 will be a platform for various activities and initiatives aimed at raising awareness, educating the corporate world about the significance of eye health, and facilitating eye care access for workers. Companies and organizations around the globe are encouraged to participate by organizing eye screenings, organizing awareness campaigns, and implementing eye-friendly workplace practices in the workspace.

By highlighting the importance of "Love your eyes at work," World Sight Day 2023 encourages a proactive approach to protecting and enhancing the vision of the global workforce. This theme recognizes that prioritizing eye health at work benefits not only individual employees but also the companies they work for, ultimately leading to a more productive and healthier workforce. Therefore, maintaining a balanced and healthy productive atmosphere at the workplace is ensured and secured.

Every Employee's Eyes Got Checked:

In the spirit of World Sight Day 2023, Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute (Kolkata- West Bengal) has taken a proactive approach to ensure the well-being of its employees' vision. They have made it a requirement for all employees to undergo eye examinations and have provided comprehensive guidance on maintaining healthy eyes.

In our organization keeping in with the theme ofWorld Sight Day, 2023 a special eye screening was arranged for all the employees. The employees' eyes were checked and they were guided on how to maintain better vision and safety measures on how to keep their eyes healthy. In our organization, comprising a total of approximately 15 employees, each individual has undergone comprehensive eye examinations. During these check-ups, they received detailed guidance on maintaining both healthy vision and overall well-being. Additionally, the attending doctor prescribed the necessary medications and provided instructions to ensure that they followed the necessary guidelines for maintaining healthy vision.

As we approach World Sight Day on October 12, 2023, we anticipate a heightened awareness of the importance of good vision in the workplace and a collective effort to ensure that eye health is a top priority. Through education, advocacy, and action, we can work together to create a world where every worker enjoys the benefits of healthy eyes and a brighter future.

Session - P2

Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute (Kolkata- West Bengal), in collaboration with the local Ward Councillor from Raja Bazar, came together to commemorate World Sight Day with the community, organizing a special event.

Date: [12.10.2023] | Location: [Raja Bazar KMC Health Center, Ward 28-Specially a Muslim Community Belt]

Introduction:

World Sight Day is a globally recognized event dedicated to raising awareness about eye health and the importance of preventing avoidable blindness. It provides an excellent platform for organizations, eye care professionals, and communities to come together to highlight the significance of vision and to address eye health issues. In celebration of World Sight Day, an Eye Screening Program was organized at Raja Bazar KMC Health Center, Ward 28, especially for the people of the Muslim community. This report provides an overview of the event, its objectives, activities, and outcomes.

Objectives:

The primary objectives of the Eye Screening Program on World Sight Day were as follows:

Raise awareness about the importance of eye health and regular eye check-ups.
Provide free eye screenings to the local community.
Educate participants about common eye diseases and the measures to prevent them.
Identify individuals with eye conditions or vision problems and offer guidance for further treatment.

Activities:

The Eye Screening Program featured a range of activities aimed at achieving the program's objectives:

Free Eye Screenings: Qualified optometrists and eye care professionals offered free eye screenings to attendees. The screenings included vision tests, eye pressure checks, and examinations for common eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors, and other diagnostic symptoms.
Informative Sessions: Interactive and informative sessions were conducted at the screening camp to educate participants about eye health, the importance of regular eye exams, and the prevention of eye diseases. Educational materials and pamphlets were distributed.
Vision Correction: For those with refractive errors, a selection of affordable eyeglasses was available. Patients were provided with prescription glasses, helping them improve their vision and quality of life. They were guided to regular use of prescribed spectacles so that they could have a properly visioned life.
Consultations: Individuals identified with eye conditions or vision problems during the screening process received one-on-one consultations with eye care professionals. They were given guidance on further treatment options and the importance of early intervention and diagnosis at the right time.
Awareness Campaign: The event featured an awareness campaign that included posters, banners, and raising awareness not only among the attendees but also in the broader community.
Community Engagement: Local Government bodies, community organizations, and government agencies were involved in spreading the word about the Eye Screening Program. Volunteers from various backgrounds came together to support the event.

Outcomes:

The Eye Screening Program on World Sight Day achieved several positive outcomes:

The screening camp received an overwhelming response, with 123 participants from the community taking part. Among them, 67 were female participants, and 56 were male participants, all of whom received the necessary diagnoses and guidance.
A total of 21 patients were identified with cataracts and recommended for the appropriate surgical treatment. Notably, 12 of these patients have been confirmed for free Cataract Surgery at the Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute.
Comprehensive refraction tests were conducted for 79 patients, and prescriptions were provided to 36 participants to address their specific needs. Moreover, eyeglasses were prescribed to 76 patients, ensuring that their vision needs were effectively met.
A totalof 71 free spectacles were provided to the patients. This has been supported by the 2.5 new Vision Generation-An Essilor Group Initiative.

Major Outcomes:

Increased Awareness: The event successfully raised awareness about eye health and the importance of regular eye check-ups within the community.
Early Detection: Many individuals with undiagnosed eye conditions were identified during the screenings, leading to early intervention and treatment, which can significantly improve their quality of life.
Vision Improvement: Participants with refractive errors received free eyeglasses, improving their vision and, in many cases, their ability to perform daily tasks and excel in their studies or work.
Community Engagement: The event brought the community together, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration in the effort to combat avoidable blindness.

Conclusion:

The Eye Screening Program organized in celebration of World Sight Day was a resounding success, achieving its objectives of raising awareness, offering free screenings, and providing education on eye health. This event not only had a positive impact on the lives of those who received screenings and eyeglasses but also contributed to the broader goal of preventing avoidable blindness and promoting eye health. As a result, it serves as a shining example of the potential for positive change that can be brought about through community involvement and awareness initiatives.

All the happy faces after they have received the Cataract Surgery Treatment. The Patients who were diagnosed with cataracts on the screening camp organized on 12th October '23 (Thursday) received free surgery treatment
at Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute on 15th October '23.

Celebrating Doctor's Day

Sankara Jyoti Organized a Free Diabetic Eye Check-up Camp for the members of the Rotary Club Aabahamaan Kolkata and also for their family members and friends at Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute.

A brief note on Doctor's Day - In India, Doctor's Day is celebrated on July 1st every year. This date holds special significance as it marks the birth and death anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, who was a renowned physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal. Doctor's Day in India is observed to honour the contributions and selfless service of doctors in the country. It is a day to express gratitude and recognize the tireless efforts of doctors in improving healthcare, saving lives, and promoting well-being. The day also serves as a reminder of the importance of the medical profession and the impact it has on individuals and society as a whole.

Speech Delivered by Dr. Shibashis Das - On the day, in the morning Dr. Shibashis Das from Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute attended the program organized by the Rotary Club of Saltlake City, Calcutta. He delivered a knowledgeable speech on Diabetic Retinopathy and enlightened people on the effect of diabetes disease on eye health, and its preventable method, and aware people on Glaucoma and on advanced technology of cataract surgery.

Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute Celebrated Doctor's Day

This year Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute has come up with the idea of celebrating Doctor's Day in a different way. 1st July 2023 -Saturday (from 2.00 pm till 6.00 pm) Celebrating Doctor's Day in a unique way by organizing the comprehensive eye check-up program for the Rotary Club of Saltlake Metropolitan, club members, and their family members and friends too. Rotary has always been a flag bearer and leader in the field of philanthropic activities. Rotary Club of Aabahamaan Kolkata in association with Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute has come up with an innovative concept of celebrating Doctor's Day where the day has been celebrated by creating awareness about some silent deadly diseases that can take away your vision without any symptoms. Not only restricting the scope to awareness but also practically screening every Rotarian on that day. Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute -Newtown in association with the Rotary Club of Aabahamaan Kolkata has come up with the vision to ignite new light and new hope- we are going to organize an eye check-up camp which will include thorough RETINA check-up for Rotarians and their family members, and also friends, especially for those who are suffering from Diabetics and aged above 40 years. We are aiming for better eye health and better vision.

It is observed that in every family there is at least 1 member who suffers from a Diabetic condition but is unaware of the deadly effect on ocular health due to the diabetic condition. It is thus very important to raise awareness regarding ocular health that can be vigorously affected by diabetic conditions. Therefore, Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute has come up with the innovative idea of comprehensive eye check-ups through advanced technology machinery at the hospital premises. The presence of the Rotarians and their family members and friends will be extremely important to us.

Novel Vision Novel Bengal

Enlightens the Community People

Make your life beautiful by taking care of your eyes because life without eyes is filled with darkness, which is why it's so crucial to raise knowledge of eye care among the local populace. With this objective in mind, the West Bengal Government has developed a creative program to increase community members' knowledge of the need for eye care, and Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute has partnered with the government on this fantastic project.

Raising Awareness at the Community Level

Sankara Jyoti works with the vision to build a sensitization program at the community level to generate awareness about eye care among the local population especially focusing on Cataracts and Diabetic Retinopathy. Thus, to build up the vision the organization has initiated to work with the community stakeholders to reach the root level in the community.

The collaborative effort between the Government of West Bengal and Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute to raise awareness of eye care through a hands-on training program is truly commendable. This initiative reflects a genuine concern for the well-being of the community and emphasizes the importance of vision care. As because lack of awareness generation can cause a halt in providing the service at the community level.
By organizing this training program, the objective of sensitizing community health workers, such as ASHA, ANM, CHO, and other non-doctor health workers, on vision care is being fulfilled. Equipping these individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to detect eye problems, conduct counselling sessions, and follow up with patients is a significant step toward ensuring early detection and timely intervention.

The training program's focus on detecting refractive errors at the community level is particularly noteworthy. Refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, are common vision problems that can often be easily corrected with the use of glasses or contact lenses. By identifying and addressing these issues promptly, community health workers can positively impact the lives of many individuals who may otherwise have limited access to eye care services.

Area Covered - A total of 06 Blocks have been covered through the training program - 02 blocks under South 24 Parganas are Jaynagar-l & Il, 02 Blocks under Diamond Harbour HD are Diamond Harbour-l & Il, and 02 blocks under North 24 Parganas are Habra-I and Il, Deganga and Basirhat I.

Reaching to the Beneficiaries
The training program has successfully reached and benefited a wide range of community health workers, including ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), ANM (Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife), CHO (Community Health Officer), and other non-doctor health workers. These dedicated individuals play a vital role in providing primary healthcare services to the local community, and their involvement in vision care is crucial for spreading the message of proper eye care.
Impact of the Training Program
These community health workers after getting the required training can reach out to the community people, making them aware of the importance of eye health, detecting their problems, and referring them to the nearby Government Hospital and to Vision Center managed by Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute for the required treatment. They are also conducting follow up with the cataract patients for the pre-operative as well as post-operative care, making them aware of other eye diseases, also raising awareness among people (who are suffering from Diabetic conditions) to get their eyes checked once a year. They are also able to check the visual acuity of the community people through the Snellen chart and also refer the patient for further treatment.
Conclusion
Overall, the hands-on training program on Vision Care organized by Sankara Jyoti Eye Institute in association with the Government of West Bengal showcases a proactive and comprehensive approach to improving eye health in the community. It not only empowers community health workers with the knowledge and skills to address vision-related issues but also highlights the importance of early detection and timely intervention. This initiative has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and promote a culture of proactive eye care in West Bengal.