Lakshmi Manchu Walks in the Dark to eradicate 'preventable' blindness
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Actress Lakshmi Manchu Walks in the Dark to eradicate 'preventable' blindness
To raise awareness about the need to eradicate 'preventable' blindness, popular actress Lakshmi Manchu was joined by over 350 students, opinion makers and dignitaries for Walk in the Dark at Jalavihar, Necklace Road in Hyderabad on 12 April 2015.
Organized by India Vision Institute (IVI), the Walk in the Dark drew attention towards uncorrected refractive error and how a pair of spectacles can improve vision enabling adults to get back to work and children to learn and perform better.
"Eye See & I Work" an IVI initiative to provide spectacles to increase productivity of people from underprivileged communities, was also launched on the occasion. Individuals and corporate are encouraged to support the cause by donating Rs 500 per pair of spectacles.
"The over-whelming response to the Walk from various stake-holders and civil society will certainly help in spreading the message of eradicating 'avoidable' blindness through timely vision correction" observed IVI CEO Vinod Daniel. "The two campaigns IVI has launched focused on providing glasses for school children through 'Eye see & I Learn' and for adults through 'Eye See & I Work' will assist in helping tens of thousands of Indians he added.
Known for championing social causes, popular actress, producer and television host, Ms Manchu said that she was personally delighted to participate in the awareness walk due to the potential change it can make in people's lives. She also congratulated IVI for organizing the Walk in the Dark.
Dr G N Rao, Chairman, LV Prasad Eye Institute lauded IVI for its efforts in combating preventable blindness. "A comprehensive eye examination and a pair of spectacles can make a big difference in the levels of productivity and consequently to the quality of life of people" - said Dr Rao. "Blindness is a serious public health problem and this is an important and timely initiative to make people aware of the need to take care of their eyes".
Leading by example, a number of dignitaries joined the cause by walking blindfolded. They were joined by Students from Devnar Foundation for the Blind, University of Hyderabad, Bausch and Lomb School of Optometry (of LV Prasad Eye Institute) and Pushpagiri Eye Institute as well as several local optometry practitioners, opticians and representatives of the eye care industry.
The walk was supported by IDBI Bank, Cherith ConCords, Good-Sight Opticians, Cafe Melange, and Optometry Association of Telangana.
Established in October 2011, IVI acts as a catalyst to help India achieve socially responsible, high quality vision care and an industry that can support: excellent eye care available to all; state of the art Indian optometry; excellent eye care education; international leadership in cutting-edge vision care research and development; and viable Indian vision and optical industry, playing a substantial part in global eye care. IVI is an initiative of the L V Prasad Eye Institute of Hyderabad and the Brien Holden Vision Institute, Sydney.
