Tue Nov 26 19:18:57 UTC 2024: ## Sankara Nethralaya Raises Myopia Awareness During Children’s Day
**Chennai, November 27, 2024** – Sankara Nethralaya eye hospital recently held a National Myopia Awareness Week, coinciding with Children’s Day (November 14th), to address the rising prevalence of shortsightedness among children. The week-long event, from November 14th to 20th, featured a range of activities aimed at educating children and parents about myopia and its prevention.
According to Kavitha Kalaivani, deputy director of the Pediatric Ophthalmology department, myopia rates have significantly increased over the past two decades, largely attributed to lifestyle changes such as reduced outdoor time and increased near-work activities.
The awareness campaign included engaging competitions for children – slogan writing, painting, and meme creation – alongside informative question-and-answer sessions for parents. These sessions covered topics such as eye health, nutrition, the stigma surrounding glasses, peer pressure, common myths and misconceptions, and the dangers of unscientific treatments. The hospital’s chairman, T.S. Surendran, and pediatric ophthalmologist Sumita Agarkar, also participated in the launch event, which began with a cake-cutting ceremony.
First Piper 