Chennai, October 07, 2026: Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital and Dr Agarwals Institute of Optometry (DAIO) observed World Sight Day with an innovative and interactive eye health awareness campaign, ‘See What They See’, organised at four prominent locations across the city.
As part of the initiative, undergraduate students pursuing optometry at the institute designed specially curated simulation glasses mimicking the visual impact of different conditions including cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), diabetic retinopathy and refractive errors. More than 1,400 individuals wore these glasses and experienced how everyday vision can be affected by these conditions.
The campaigns were organised at, engaging commuters and travellers through interactive awareness stalls and approximately 75 live visual simulation glasses. More than 60 optometry students, along with 10 faculty members, participated in the campaigns, and souvenirs with awareness messages were distributed to the participants.
The experiential activity offered the public a unique perspective on how diseases that might appear unconnected to eye care can leave a long-lasting visual impact and encouraged people to think beyond spectacles when it comes to eye care. For instance, glaucoma, often referred to as the “silent killer”, may reveal no symptoms until it becomes severe. Similarly, diabetes can damage the optic nerve if it is not kept under control.
World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October to raise awareness about eye health. This year, it falls on October 8, and its theme is to call for eye health to be made a priority and encourage everyone to get their eyes checked regularly.
Highlighting the importance of proactive eye care, Dr. Karpagam, Dean, DAIO, said, “Raising awareness about silent eye diseases is crucial to motivating people to get annual examinations. Early detection is our primary defence in controlling preventable and avoidable blindness. If untreated, these eye conditions can affect independence, productivity and quality of life and, in many cases, can lead to avoidable vision loss. Through this initiative, DAIO aimed to reinforce the importance of preventive eye care, regular eye examinations, early detection and timely treatment.”
Supported by the Optometry Confederation of India, the initiative reflects DAIO’s commitment to taking optometry and eye health education beyond classrooms and clinics and into the community.