LAHORE, Nov 28: The Punjab Institute of Preventive Ophthalmology in collaboration with the Sight Savers International, UK, is launching a school students’ eyesight screening and teachers training programme in Narowal and Sheikhupura districts from next month.

A team of ophthalmologists and eye technicians will visit all government primary schools in these districts one by one. It will also train teachers about identifying symptoms of low vision and other eyesight problems in their students.

During screening, the team will identify the students with low vision for the provision of glasses or surgical treatment at respective district headquarters hospitals or at the Mayo Hospital. The PIPO expects to conduct different surgical procedures, including cataract, glaucoma and squint. All procedures and glasses will be provided free of cost under the project.

PIPO director-general Prof Asad Aslam said the screening of students’ eyesight in all primary schools in Narowal and Sheikhupura districts would be done under a pilot project. After the completion of screening in these districts, the project would be extended all over the province. While under the World Health Organization’s programme of community-based primary eye care services for the prevention of childhood blindness, Prof Khan said, this programme would be extended all over the country.

The PIPO, based at the King Edward Medical College/Mayo Hospital, will frame the project for the implementation of this initiative. The programme will initially be launched in all districts of Punjab, followed by the AJK and other provinces.

Meanwhile, in order to strengthen the eye care programme in respective districts, the PIPO has recently upgraded seven DHQ hospitals by providing new ophthalmological equipment, trained ophthalmologists as well as renovation of hospitals’ OPD and operation theatres. The upgraded hospitals are — Sialkot, Bhakkar, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh and Narowal.

Ten other districts have already been upgraded and offering ophthalmological services. The remaining 18 districts will be upgraded under the five-year National Programme for Prevention and Control of Blindness 2005-10 launched by the health ministry on Aug 13 this year. The programme will be run with a cost of Rs2.7 billion.

Prof Khan said the upgradation of districts would be followed by training of primary healthcare workers — general duty doctors, nurses, paramedics, lady health workers and lady health visitors — in eye care.

According to conservative estimates, there are around 100,000 blind children in Pakistan. Experts say over 75 per cent of this blindness can be prevented. They say blindness among children is caused by ophthalmological-neonatirum, measles, Vitamin-A deficiency, trauma and application of harmful substances as well as harmful practices.