PATNA: The increased dependency on cellphones and laptops for online education and other purposes following Covid-19 pandemic over the last two years has led to the rise in eye-related issues, including drastic deterioration of eyesight, burning sensation, headache and blurred vision in students. This was found during a 21-day-long eye-check up camp at St Michael’s High School (SMHS), which concluded on Friday. Approximately, 2,000 students were tested during the camp.
School authorities claimed that it was a major concern and observation of the school management and the teachers when the students faced difficulty in reading and writing their notes from the board and often complained of frequent headaches and not being able to see the blackboard clearly.
Accordingly, the eye check-up camp was organised in the primary section of SMHS from April 19 to May 6. Ex-senior resident of AIIMS-Patna Dr Siddharth Kumar, who is also an alumnus of the school, volunteered to take up the noble task along with his team members.
Tests including vision test, colour vision test and refraction tests were done during the camp. Around 1,000 students had vision problems, few of them had colour vision issues and about 700 students had allergic conjunctivitis.
Dr Siddharth advised the students to eat healthy and balanced diet, avoid junk food, wear glasses, reduce the use of cellphones, have their eyesight tested thoroughly and do enough exercise.
“You should get your eyes checked at least once a year to maintain a healthy eyesight,” he said.
SMHS principal Father Armstrong Edison informed that the doctor’s prescription has been sent to the parents and the needful action has been notified to them.
