Karwar: In a significant move to eliminate avoidable blindness, the Government of Karnataka has established 14 permanent Asha Kiran Vision Centres in Uttara Kannada district under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment. These centres aim to provide accessible, free, and continuous eye care to the public while substantially reducing the district’s blindness rate.
Unlike earlier approaches that relied on periodic eye camps conducted at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), the Asha Kiran initiative has set up permanent eye care facilities within existing healthcare institutions. These include district hospitals, taluk hospitals, community health centres, and the Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences. This model ensures the regular availability of eye care services, enhancing the consistency and effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Shankar Rao, District Blindness Control Officer and Leprosy Control Officer, stated that the centres are equipped to offer free eye examinations, prescription spectacles, surgical procedures, and other essential ophthalmic treatments. He emphasized the role of community health workers, particularly ASHA personnel, in identifying individuals with potential visual impairments during their routine home visits. Suspected cases will be referred to the nearest vision centre for further evaluation and timely intervention.
The Asha Kiran initiative is part of a state-wide mission to make Karnataka free from preventable blindness by promoting early detection and treatment of refractive errors, cataracts, corneal issues, and other vision-related conditions. The programme also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye check-ups, hereditary and nutritional risk factors, and the consequences of untreated infections and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes.
Dr. Rao highlighted that many vision problems, including those arising from Vitamin A deficiency, malnutrition, and congenital conditions, are largely preventable or treatable with timely care. He also cautioned against the use of unprescribed eye medications and urged the public to undergo regular screenings for silent but serious conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. He further advised against smoking, which can cause significant damage to the retina and optic nerve.
The Asha Kiran centres will also serve as hubs for health education, promoting awareness on proper eye care practices, dietary recommendations—particularly the consumption of green vegetables and red or yellow fruits—and the importance of screen time moderation through the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain.
According to Dr. Rao, all 14 vision centres are now fully functional. These include taluk hospitals in Bhatkal, Honnavar, Kumta, Ankola, Haliyal, Mundgod, Siddapur, Sirsi, Supa, and Yellapur. Additionally, services are available at community health centres in Shirali, Dandeli, and Pala, as well as at the Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences. He encouraged the public to fully utilize these facilities, which offer free consultations, corrective lenses, surgical services, and treatment for a wide range of eye disorders.
Officials believe that the permanent establishment of these centres, coupled with grassroots outreach by health workers, represents a major stride in making quality eye care accessible across rural and underserved areas of the district.