In a collaborative effort aimed at promoting eye health awareness, the UKZN Foundation and the College of Health Sciences have joined forces with Ster-Kinekor for their Vision Mission campaign.
The initiative offers free eye screenings for pupils from high schools and primary schools throughout KwaZulu-Natal.
As part of Eye Care Awareness Month, these screenings are scheduled to take place on Thursday October 26, from 9am to 4pm, at Ster-Kinekor Gateway. The primary focus of this campaign is to raise awareness regarding eye health, particularly emphasising the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness.
The Discipline of Optometry will be responsible for providing basic eye screenings to detect various eye problems, including cataracts, stereopsis, colour vision issues, and the need for corrective spectacles for both near and distance vision.
Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan, the academic leader of optometry at the School of Health Sciences, said there were a staggering one billion cases of visual impairment that goes unnoticed.
“According to the World Health Organization, 2.2 billion people suffer from either distance or near visual impairments, with a staggering one billion cases going unrecognised. Vision screening plays a vital role in alleviating this burden by identifying correctable vision problems, thereby enhancing the likelihood of providing assistance to those in need and improving their quality of life. UKZN Optometry is truly grateful for the opportunity to partner in this initiative with Ster-Kinekor, allowing our students to contribute meaningfully by offering their time and skills in alignment with one of UKZN's core missions, which revolves around active engagement with society."
Geraldine Engelman, the Head of CSI Transformation and Wellness at Ster-Kinekor, said their Vision Mission programme will provide free eye exams to individuals in need, particularly in the areas surrounding our cinemas.
“Vision problems pose significant challenges for disadvantaged communities. Through our collaboration with UKZN, we aim to make a substantial impact on future generations, especially those attending under-resourced schools. Children who have been struggling with eye problems at school and are unable to see the chalkboard clearly will now have the opportunity to undergo a free eye screening."
For more information on this initiative, contact Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan on 031 260 8645 or EbrahimKhanN@ukzn.ac.za