Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital and its Institute of Optometry held a Chennai campaign showing visitors how cataracts, glaucoma and other conditions can affect sight.
The “See What They See” initiative took place at four locations on Wednesday, a day before World Sight Day. Optometry undergraduates designed simulation glasses to demonstrate the effects of cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and refractive errors. More than 1,400 people tried them, the organisers said.
DAIO Dean Karpagam said raising awareness of eye diseases that can remain symptomless for a long time may encourage people to get regular examinations. She described early detection as the main way to prevent avoidable blindness.
Without treatment, these conditions can affect independence, productivity and quality of life, and in some cases lead to vision loss, Karpagam said. The Hindu described the event as an awareness campaign, not a medical screening of participants.