As part of Eye Care Week, an ‘Awareness Walk’ will be oraganised
LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) is organising Children’s Eye Care Week from November 11-17. This year the theme is ‘Cataract in Children’. As a part of the Eye Care Week, LVPEI is organising an ‘Awareness Walk’ on November 17. The Walk will be flagged off at 7am from LVPEI Banjara Hills.
“When a cataract is present since birth, it is called a congenital cataract. A cataract that is developed after 12 months of birth is called developmental cataract and it could be present in one or both the eyes. It can be hereditary or may occur sporadically or because of other underlying general diseases. In 27 per cent of cases, it occurs because of some other defects in the eye, whereas in 22 per cent of the cases it occurs because of other underlying health problems in children (systemic abnormalities). As per studies, in 41 per cent of cases in children, cataract is diagnosed through routine screenings and hence detailed annual eye examination even for children is highly recommended. Whitish appearance in the eye (Leukocoria), squint and involuntary shaking of the eyeballs are the main symptoms of cataract in children,” said Dr Uppal Gandhi, Consultant, Child Sight Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute.
“Cataract is one of the most important causes of avoidable visual disability in children. The developing visual system requires appropriate visual stimulus during formative years and early childhood. If affected with cataract (bilateral or unilateral) or weakening of eyes (amblyopia or lazy eyes) the child’s educational and psychosocial advancement may be affected,” said Dr Ramesh Kekunnaya, Head, Child Sight Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute.