CUK organises eye screening camp

Ganderbal, Mar 12: Under the theme ‘Uniting for a Glaucoma-free world’, the Health Centre and Directorate of Students Welfare (DSW), Central University of Kashmir (CUK) in collaboration with Kashmir Eye Hospital, Nowgam, organised an eye screening camp for faculty, students, and staff at the varsity’s Green Campus here Wednesday.

A statement of CUK issued here said that inaugurating the camp, Registrar, Prof Muhammad Afzal Zargar said, “The initiative highlights the importance of early detection and timely intervention in preventing vision loss due to glaucoma.”

Describing vision as the most precious sense, enabling individuals to perceive and engage with the world around them, Prof Zargar said, “Vision-related disorders, particularly glaucoma, continue to pose a significant challenge to eye health worldwide.”

He asked the Health Centre and DSW to organise more health camps for the students shortly.

As many as 200 faculty members, administrative staff, and students participated in the camp.

Dean DSW, Prof Irfan Aalam said the objective of the camp was to identify individuals at risk or in the early stages of glaucoma and other eye disorders.

“Awareness campaigns like this eye screening camp help debunk myths about eye diseases and emphasise the importance of routine check-ups,” he said.

Medical Officer Dr Sheeba said: “Glaucoma, often referred to as the ‘silent thief of sight,’ is an eye condition that causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve, often without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss occurs. Given the growing concern about eye health, organising an eye screening camp becomes a crucial step toward raising awareness and encouraging timely medical intervention.”