🎉 Over 3,37,692 children screened across Karnataka — help us reach 5 lakh! Donate Now →

Avoidable Blindness Awareness

Most Childhood Blindness
Can Be Prevented

Understanding the causes, recognising the warning signs early, and taking simple preventive steps can save a child’s sight forever.

Help Us Spread This Awareness

Share this information with parents, teachers and your community. The more people who know the warning signs, the more children we can help in time.

Child eye care awareness

Common Causes in Children

  • Refractive Errors

    Myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) and astigmatism — the most common and most easily corrected with spectacles or lenses.

  • Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

    The brain favours one eye over the other, weakening the neglected eye. Treatable only during early childhood — if missed, the loss is permanent.

  • Strabismus (Squint)

    Misaligned eyes can cause double vision and amblyopia. Early treatment with patches, glasses or surgery can fully restore alignment.

  • Vitamin A Deficiency

    A leading cause of preventable childhood blindness in developing regions. Proper nutrition and supplementation can eliminate this entirely.

  • Eye Infections & Injuries

    Untreated conjunctivitis, trachoma, and corneal injuries from everyday accidents can cause lasting damage — preventable with hygiene and timely care.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Teachers and parents should act immediately if a child shows any of these signs:

Squinting or partially closing eyes to see
Sitting very close to the board or screen
Frequent headaches or eye pain
Rubbing eyes repeatedly during the day
Tilting or turning head to look at objects
Eyes that are red, watery, or crusty
Covering or closing one eye while reading
Sudden drop in academic performance
Difficulty reading from the blackboard
Stumbling or misjudging steps and objects
If you notice any of these signs, request an eye check immediately. Early action can prevent permanent damage.

How to Protect Your Child’s Vision

  • 01
    Annual Eye Exams

    Schedule a professional eye check every year, starting from age 3. Many conditions are invisible without an exam.

  • 02
    Outdoor Time

    At least 2 hours of outdoor play daily is proven to slow the progression of myopia in children. Sunlight matters.

  • 03
    20-20-20 Rule

    Every 20 minutes of near work, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Reduces digital eye strain significantly.

  • 04
    Nutrition for Vision

    Vitamin A (carrots, leafy greens), omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein-rich foods all support long-term eye health.

  • 05
    Eye Hygiene

    Teach children not to rub their eyes, wash hands before touching the face, and avoid sharing towels or eye drops.

  • 06
    Proper Lighting & Screen Distance

    Read and study in well-lit spaces. Maintain at least 30 cm distance from books and 60 cm from screens.

Get in Touch

We’d Love to Hear From You

Whether you want to donate, volunteer, partner, or simply learn more about our work — reach out and our team will get back to you.

Send us a Message

We’ll respond within 2 business days.