Mobile eye screening vehicle launched in Mys

Mysuru: Mysuru district health authorities, in association with the District Blind Control Society, launched a mobile eye examination and screening vehicle to help people suffering from vision problems. The vehicle helps authorities conduct more eye screening camps in remote and rural areas. It also provides free cataract screening services and supports people with vision problems to get timely treatment at district or taluk govt hospitals.
Minor eye ailments and refractive errors are treated at the camp site, with medication and eye glasses also provided.
The department received the vehicle under the National Blind Control Programme. All these years, the department conducted four to five free cataract screening camps at a few locations, but with the launch of the vehicle, the department is now able to conduct about 12 camps every month.
A five-member team is deputed by the department for the mobile eye check-up camp vehicle to screen the patients, including an ophthalmologist, district health education officer, nursing staff, and D group staff. They conduct the camp every Monday and Thursday each month.
In the first week of every month, the team conducts a camp every Monday at Jayanagar Community Health Centre in Mysuru and Jayapura CHC in Mysuru taluk on the first Thursday of every month. During the second week of every month, on Monday, it conducts the camp at Tagaduru CHC and on Thursday at Hullahalli in Nanjangud taluk. On the third week of every month, on Monday, it conducts the camp at Talakadu CHC in T Narasipura taluk and on Thursday in Bannur CHC. On the fourth week of every month, on Monday, it conducts the camp at Saligrama CHC and on Thursday in Saragaru CHC.
District blind control officer Dr Brinda said that for every 1,000 people in society, about 5 to 6 suffer from vision problems. Against the target of 21,792, the District Blind Control Society screened 17,082 people in the district suffering from vision problems in 2023-24 and arranged treatment for them. Apart from conducting free cataract surgeries, it also treats patients suffering from squint eye, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye problems, she said.
District health officer Dr PC Kumaraswamy said that the department launched a mobile eye screening vehicle facility to help people living in remote, rural areas of all taluks, besides to conduct more eye check-up camps in the district to provide service to people at their doorstep.