LVPEI to Develop Exclusive Website for the Visually Challenged

HYDERABAD, India - Feb. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Hyderabad, February 25, 2014: In the context of the digital age, and given L V Prasad Eye Institute’s expertise and experience in rehabilitation of the blind and visually impaired, a new initiative was mooted to bring knowledge, awareness and services to those affected by vision loss of any degree. The institute’s rehabilitation team is to develop an exclusive website for persons with visual impairment, in consultation with a team of experts from LVPEI, beneficiaries of rehabilitation services at LVPEI, parents of visually challenged children, volunteers and other field experts.

Apart from the visually impaired, other beneficiaries of the proposed website include those who work closely with them such as their family members, acquaintances, and professionals handling persons with vision disability, as also persons with additional disabilities. The website will act as a single platform for stakeholders to understand and exchange information about upbringing of children with vision challenges, early intervention, education, employment, low vision care, social benefits, eye health, latest research in the field, accessibility of related services, etc., both at the national and international arenas.

“Our aim in developing the proposed website is to create a platform that eases access to information and knowledge related to a visually challenged person. We anticipate that this unique website will create a positive impact in enhancing the quality of life of a person with visual impairment, and will hopefully be an equalizer for them in the digital world,” said Dr Virender Sangwan, Director - SRUJANA Centre for Innovation, L V Prasad Eye Institute.

Globally there are an estimated 246 million people with visual impairment, of whom 18 million are blind and 50 million have low vision due to untreatable eye diseases. The consequences of vision loss are multi-dimensional, and affect functional, educational, economical and psycho-social aspects of the visually impaired person’s lifestyle. Rehabilitation services can play a vital role in improving the quality of life of such people. However, the problem is only less than 10 percent of them have access to intervention. The proposed website will go a long way in facilitating access to information of services and intervention.

About L V Prasad Eye Institute

The L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) was established in 1986-87 at Hyderabad as a not-for-profit, non-government, public-spirited, comprehensive eye care institution. LVPEI is governed by two trusts: the Hyderabad Eye Institute and the Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation. The Institute is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Prevention of Blindness and a Global Resource Center for VISION 2020: The Right to Sight initiative. LVPEI has six active arms to its areas of operations namely Clinical Services, Education, Research, Rehabilitation and Sight Enhancement Services, Eye Bank, and Public Health and Rural Outreach.  For more information, visit www.lvpei.org