Orbis launches comic strips for children on World Sight Day

Hyderabad: On the occasion of World Sight Day 2016, Orbis International launched comic strips to educate children about the importance of wearing spectacles. The launch was done at a seminar organized by VISION 2­­­­020 – India around the theme ‘Stronger Together’ today at Taj Banjara, Hyderabad.

The seminar was attended by representatives and members of Vision 2020 India, Hyderabad ophthalmic society, optometry fraternity, Telangana ophthalmic society, State Government representatives and other stakeholders. The seminar was a call to focus attention on blindness and vision impairment highlight the importance of partnership among different stakeholders for making the collective mission ‘universal eye care’a reality.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rahul Ali, Country Director - India, Orbis International said, “Vision and learning are closely related. Globally, more than 12 millions children below the age of 15 suffer from poor vision due to uncorrected refractive error. They suffer not only poor vision but also face critical setback in development since 80% of learning is visual. The problem can be easily corrected with a simple pair of spectacles. Glasses are one of the most cost-effective treatments but have a significant impact on the quality of life of the child, and in many cases prevent the problem from advancing to severe impairment or blindness.”

The comics were launched by Dr. Promila Gupta, Deputy Director General (O), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India at the event who praised the initiative by saying that comics are afun and innovative way to reach out to children and educate them about eye health.

A walk for vision was also organized on 13^th October morning from Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Park, Hyderabad to LV Prasad Lab/Banjara Hills.