The Sindh Education Department (SELD) has launched a comprehensive eye screening campaign for students enrolled in government schools across the province. The move comes in response to increasing worries about the impact of excessive mobile phone usage on children’s eyesight.
Officials have issued directives to all district education offices, urging school administrations to fully cooperate with the initiative. An approved NGO has been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to conduct the screenings. As part of the program, students will receive free eye examinations, and those diagnosed with vision impairments will be provided with prescription glasses at no cost.
Dr Fouzia Khan, Chief Advisor of the Curriculum Wing, emphasized the importance of the campaign, stating, “Excessive mobile phone use is harming children’s eyesight. School authorities must ensure full participation to prevent long-term vision damage.”
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Medical experts highlight that conditions like nearsightedness and farsightedness often go undetected, particularly in low-income areas with limited access to eye care. Untreated vision problems can hinder a child’s learning and overall well-being. Health professionals have long advocated for mandatory vision checks during school admissions to enable early diagnosis and intervention.