In 2023, Vision-Aid partnered with Sankara Nethralaya Kolkata to provide quality eye care to those in need. This collaboration focuses on vision screenings, offering low-cost or free eye care services, conducting research on visual impairments, and advocating for the visually impaired community.
Highlights of 2023:
The Vision-Aid Resource Center at Sankara Nethralaya Kolkata has seen around more than 1130 beneficiaries by offering over 1130 sessions and interventions in 2023. The visually impaired benefitted from various services which include education and counselling, orientation and mobility, visual skills and training, assistive devices.
Vision Enhancement Clinic:
This centre has a special focus on visually impaired children and infants. The VEC clinic has seen around 170 children and has offered sessions/interventions and various guidance to parents.
- Success story 1 from Vision Enhancement Clinic:
“The photo depicts the story of a 2-year-old child who was diagnosed with developmental delay. The child received early intervention and visual perception therapy initially, followed by several sessions of visual developmental therapy, visual perception skills, eye-hand coordination, and physiotherapy. The parents have observed significant improvement in the child’s visual skills and are grateful for the quality service offered at the centre.
- Success story 2 from Vision Enhancement Clinic:
The team shares the inspiring story of a resilient 13-year-old boy overcoming cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and developmental delay. Concerned about his eye movement after watching TV, his parents brought him to our hospital. After a neuro-ophthalmology checkup, he was referred to our specialized resource centre for visual stimulation, eye-hand coordination, and behavioural therapy. His parents were taught home exercises and left with renewed hope after initial sessions. In addition to speech and physiotherapy, he was recommended for occupational therapy from VEC, and his family sought top specialists to help him reach his full potential.
Success story 3 from Vision Enhancement Clinic:
“A nine-year-old patient with a history of prematurity and developmental delays visited the hospital for squinting and diminished vision. Diagnosed with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) by a pediatric consultant, the patient was referred to the Vision-Aid center for visual coordination help. Comprehensive assessments revealed struggles with hand-eye coordination, color identification, and shape recognition, though social skills were age-appropriate. The parents were advised on local physiotherapy and occupational therapy and left feeling optimistic about their child’s potential for improvement with the right support.
Low Vision Clinic:
The low vision clinic from Sankara Nethralaya Kolkata has offered services to 570 beneficiaries by conducting comprehensive low vision examination, providing assistive devices and explaining various training which includes education and counselling, orientation and mobility etc.
Success story from Low Vision Clinic:
The low vision team from the resource center is happy to share the story of a 21-year-old BCom student diagnosed with Chori retinal coloboma, complicated cataract, and treated for retinal detachment. Referring to the Vision-Aid resource center, he had light perception in the right eye and none in the left. He was trained to use smart vision glasses and received instruction in independent life skills, computer, and mobile technology. By this he felt confident and got a positive approach towards life.
Screening and Outreach activities:
School screening camp conducted at Voice of World Inclusive School where 44 special children and 33 adult patients working in that school were screened and managed. With smiles and gratitude, the beneficiaries received video magnifiers, dome magnifiers, and spectacles.
Vision-Aid beneficiaries, including infants, young children, and MDVI children, receive visual developmental therapy, sensory integration, fine motor development, eye-hand coordination, behavior management, remedial education, and referrals for additional interventions like physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
Highlights of 2024:
The Vision-Aid Resource Center at Sankara Nethralaya Kolkata has made a significant impact in 2024, serving nearly 1,000 beneficiaries through over 1,000 sessions. Apart from low vision clinics, the resource center also supports Vision Enhancement Clinic specially designed for treating children with CVI, Special children by offering a holistic multidisciplinary approach.
The other services provided to the visually impaired include:
- Education and Counseling
- Orientation and Mobility
- Training to navigate environments safely and independently.
- Visual Skills and Training
- Assistive Devices
Success story 1:
The Vision-Aid Resource Center is proud to share the success story of a 50-year-old patient with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), whose vision has gradually dimmed over the past year. During her initial visit, professionals provided counseling and demonstrated simple adaptations to enhance her independence. Inspired by this knowledge, she eagerly began Orientation and Mobility training, alongside learning Notex techniques for currency counting and mobile device usage. Committing to a three-day training program, she is now fully engaged in sessions, taking significant steps toward reclaiming her independence and a brighter future
Success story 2:
The resource center is taking pride in sharing a success story about a 7-year-old, a determined boy who was diagnosed with a total cataract in his right eye and retinal detachment in his left, facing a challenging future. With support from a low vision clinic, he attended a specialized school, where he quickly adapted by learning Braille and using assistive tools. After successful surgery, he improved his vision, he excelled in his studies and developed a passion for music. However, when his vision deteriorated again due to band-shaped keratopathy, he continued to thrive academically and pursued further education.
Ten years later, he returned to the low vision clinic, where a compassionate optometrist introduced him to technologies like JAWS and Talkback, reigniting his enthusiasm for new possibilities. During a demonstration of smart vision glasses, he discovered additional services and eagerly inquired about job openings, marking a hopeful new chapter in his journey.
Screening Activities - Vision-Aid Resource Center:
On September 3, 2024, Sankara Nethralaya Kolkata, in collaboration with Vision-Aid hosted a low vision screening camp at the Calcutta Blind School, screening 93 students with visual impairments.
Twelve students were provided with Vision- Aid video magnifiers, while others received a dome magnifier and a 6x cutaway magnifier, greatly improving their ability to read and study independently.
This initiative transformed their learning experiences and reignited hope for a brighter future.
Success Story 3
Regaining Independence with Smart Vision Glasses
Mr. Prakash Chauhan, 27, was working as an electrician and was able to support himself and his family through his profession. However, following significant vision loss, he had to stop working, as continuing in his previous occupation was no longer safe.
The loss of vision affected more than just his livelihood. It also made several everyday activities challenging, increased his dependence on others, and affected his confidence and sense of independence.
Prakash was assessed at the Vision-Aid Resource Center at Sankara Nethralaya Kolkata where his functional vision needs were evaluated, and appropriate rehabilitation strategies were discussed. As part of his rehabilitation, he received Smart Vision Glasses, an assistive technology designed to support access to visual information.
With the Smart Vision Glasses, Prakash can access and identify information more independently, helping him perform tasks that previously required assistance from family members or others around him. The device is supporting him in navigating everyday situations with greater confidence and reducing his dependence on others.
For Prakash, access to assistive technology represents an important step toward greater independence, confidence, and participation in daily life despite significant vision loss.
Mr. Prakash Chauhan Says……
“I have been unemployed since last year due to my vision loss. Before that, I could see everything and I was working as an electrician in an electrical shop, where I used to prepare bills and do other work. Now, I can only listen to songs or call somebody using Google. I want to open a small grocery shop in front of my house, and these Smart Vision Glasses can help me identify the item.”
Success Story 4
Empowered by Assistive Technology: Sumanta’s Journey Towards a Career in Teaching
Mr. Sumanta Banerjee, 42, is pursuing a Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) with the aspiration of building a career in teaching.
A resident of Bankura district, West Bengal, Sumanta currently stays in a hostel away from his family while pursuing his studies. With significant visual impairment, accessing printed materials and visual information can be challenging, making access to appropriate assistive technology particularly important for his education and daily life.
Discovering Smart Vision Glasses with Vision-Aid
During a visit to the Vision-Aid Resource Center at Sankara Nethralaya, Kolkata, Sumanta learned about Smart Vision Glasses.
Interested in exploring how the technology could support him, Sumanta underwent a functional assessment and was given an opportunity to trial the Smart Vision Glasses. Following the assessment, Vision-Aid provided him with the device as part of his rehabilitation support.
The Smart Vision Glasses are helping Sumanta access visual information more independently and reduce his reliance on others for tasks that require visual identification. This is especially valuable as he continues his teacher-training course and works towards his goal of becoming a teacher.
Access to Digital Learning
Sumanta has also received training in NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access), a screen-reading software that enables people with visual impairment to use computers and access digital information.
He is keen to continue his higher education through digital resources and further develop his computer skills. However, financial constraints made it difficult for him to purchase a laptop.
To support his continued education, Vision-Aid provided Sumanta with a laptop, giving him access to digital learning resources and enabling him to continue developing his computer skills.
Sumanta is also interested in pursuing a basic computer training course through Vision-Aid to strengthen his skills and explore opportunities for future employment and self-reliance.
Vision-Aid’s Support for His Future
Through access to assistive technology, digital resources, and skills training, Vision-Aid is supporting Sumanta as he continues his education and works towards his career goal.
For Sumanta, the Smart Vision Glasses and laptop are more than technological tools. They are helping him access learning opportunities, develop his skills, and move forward with greater confidence as he prepares for a future in teaching.
Sumanta’s Message
“My name is Sumanta Banerjee, and I am a resident of Bankura district in West Bengal. I am immensely grateful to Vision-Aid for providing me with Smart Vision Glasses and a laptop. Both will help me greatly in my education and future journey.
I would also like to undertake a basic computer training course through Vision-Aid so that I can continue learning, develop my skills, and work towards becoming self-reliant.”
Sumanta’s journey reflects his determination to continue learning and pursue his dream of becoming a teacher. With access to the right technology and training, he is taking important steps towards a more independent future and building the skills needed to achieve his aspirations.
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