YEREVAN, Armenia — The Garo Meghrigian Institute for Preventive Ophthalmology (Meghrigian Institute) and the Community Wellbeing project of the American University of Armenia (AUA) Turpanjian College of Health Sciences organized a joint community event to celebrate World Sight Day 2024.
The program aimed to reduce visual impairment among school-aged children forcibly displaced from Artsakh by providing comprehensive eye examinations, offering eyeglasses and medications to those in need, and increasing awareness about eye health by distributing educational materials on eye care to children and their parents/caregivers. The staff of the Meghrigian Institute conducted eye screenings among 89 school-aged children in the Masis community, Ararat Marz. Children diagnosed with uncorrected refractive errors or eye diseases will receive free eyeglasses and medication. Those who were diagnosed with eye diseases that require advanced care were referred to specialized ophthalmic centers.
In addition to the ophthalmic examination, the project team distributed educational materials on healthy eye care practices for children and their parents, detailing important recommendations and tips for taking good eye care. These practices will help children save their vision and reduce risks leading to eye problems. By teaching these habits early, the program empowers children to take an active role in maintaining their eye health throughout their life. The eye care recommendations for parents/caregivers inform them about how to prevent common eye health issues and support their child’s good vision.
World Sight Day is a global awareness day held annually on the second Thursday of October, focusing the world’s attention on the importance of eye health and promoting proper vision and eye care. This year, the theme of World Sight Day is “Children, love your eyes,” which emphasizes the critical importance of vision in a child’s life.
The Community Wellbeing Project is a novel grassroots initiative aimed at improving the overall wellbeing of the Artsakh population currently residing in the Republic of Armenia. The Project is funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, with matching funds through a donation made to the Poppy Project at UCLA FSPH. The initiative builds community capacity, links individuals and communities to resources and services, and promotes education and outreach to support and empower the Artsakh population.
The AUA Turpanjian College of Health Sciences works actively to improve population health and health services in Armenia and the region through interdisciplinary education and development of health professionals to be leaders in public health, nursing, health services research and evaluation, and health care delivery and management.
