In a massive eye-screening programme, about 3.70 crore people in Telangana will be screened for ocular problems from August 15.

Over 800 teams will conduct eye camps across the State, covering refraction errors, cataract, Vitamin A deficiency, eye infections, glaucoma, corneal disorders and diabetic retinopathy.

An estimated 40 lakh people will get free glasses under the Telangana Kanti Velugu programme. As many as four lakh people may require surgery to correct different ocular problems. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao will formally launch the programme at Malkapur in Medak district on the Independence Day.

Each team would comprise a doctor, optometrist, pharmacist, 2-3 health workers and a data entry operator.

“About 77,000 people will require primary care, 3.30 lakh people would need secondary care and 14,000 may require tertiary care,” an official of the Health Department has said.

“We will conduct surgeries to correct cataract, glaucoma, retinopathy and corneal disorders. All services will be provided free of cost,” he said.

“We will conduct camps in all gram panchayats and in all wards in urban areas. Ocular data of all the people will be captured electronically through a special software. This information will help in following up the cases after interventions,” he said.

The government has released about Rs 150 crore for the implementation of the programme. This includes Rs 23 crore released from the National Health Mission.

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