How we’re training teachers to spot blinding eye conditions

Previously, when Mr Aahiswar suspected a child had vision problems, he’d suggest they get their eyes checked at a hospital. But the costs of getting there are beyond the reach of many families.

Now Mr Aahiswar does the tests himself with the help of a screening chart. If a child needs further treatment, he’s able to refer them to hospital and their travel costs are covered by Sightsavers.

“I can do the primary screening, and now I can contact staff to come and check the children’s eyes,” Mr Aahiswar explains. “Sightsavers and the hospital are both very proactive and because of this programme, the children are benefitting.”

One of those children is 13-year-old Roshani. “From some distance, I can’t read,” she explains. “I have to bring the books close to my eyes.”

After having her eyes screened at the school, Roshani was found to be short-sighted and was prescribed glasses. She’s delighted to have them. “I will be able to see the small letters on the screening charts!” Roshani exclaims.

Another student who has benefitted from the programme is four-year-old Rukmani (pictured below with her father), whose teacher detected her blinding cataract and helped to save her sight.

If her teacher hadn’t been trained to check her eyes, Rukmani could easily have lost the sight in one eye. And while Rukmani may be too young to realise the impact of her blinding cataract, to her father and mother the surgery came just in time to secure their daughter’s future.