ARARAT, Armenia — To celebrate World Sight Day 2025, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Garo Meghrigian Institute for Preventive Ophthalmology (Meghrigian Institute) at the Avedisian Onanian Center for Health Services Research and Development of the Turpanjian College of Health Sciences conducted eye screenings for forcibly displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) residing in the Ararat province of Armenia, where the highest concentration of displaced people is registered. The initiative aimed to reduce visual impairments and prevent blindness in this vulnerable population by providing comprehensive eye examinations, as well as distributing eyeglasses and medications, all provided at no expense to the participants.
World Sight Day is a global awareness day held on the second Thursday of October each year, focusing the world’s attention on the importance of eye health and promoting proper vision and eye care. This year’s World Sight Day theme is “Love your eyes,” which emphasizes the need for eye care that is accessible, available, and affordable for everyone, everywhere.
From September to October 2025, the experienced team at the Meghrigian Institute conducted eye screening in the cities of Ararat and Artashat in Ararat province. This project targeted people aged 50 and older, a group at higher risk for age-related vision disorders. During this period, a total of 377 people underwent ophthalmic examinations. The Community Wellbeing Project, supported by the University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, arranged the recruitment of forcefully displaced participants. In November 2025, the Meghrigian Institute will provide corrective eyeglasses to those diagnosed with uncorrected refractive errors and unaddressed presbyopia. In total, 462 eyeglasses will be distributed, improving the vision and daily functionality of the target population. Some project participants will receive two pairs of corrective eyeglasses: one for near vision and one for distance vision. Additionally, 105 participants diagnosed with eye diseases, including cataract, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, pterygium, and dry eye syndromes, will receive necessary medication to manage their conditions effectively. Patients requiring specialized treatment were referred to advanced ophthalmic centers for further medical interventions.
This targeted public health intervention underscores the importance of accessible and available eye care services, particularly for displaced populations facing significant socioeconomic and healthcare challenges. This initiative by the Meghrigian Institute will reduce visual impairment, prevent blindness, and contribute to increasing the overall well-being and quality of life of displaced people. Continued efforts in early detection of eye disorders and timely treatment are essential in addressing the eye care needs of vulnerable populations.
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.
