The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with ‘Drishti’, a youth-led organisation founded by Amity University student Sanjana Chauhan, hosted a national conference titled “Vision Health Champions: Empowering Youth Ambassadors for Adolescent Eye Care” at the Amity University Noida campus.

The event aimed to address the growing public health concern of adolescent eye health in India, with a particular focus on the sharp rise in myopia. The conference brought together key stakeholders from public health, education, and ophthalmology sectors to advocate preventive strategies, including regular eye screenings, outdoor activities, and digital eye strain awareness.

Dr Yutaro Setoya, team lead (NCD & Comorbidities), WHO India, highlighted the global burden of vision impairment, stating, “Over 800 million people suffer from vision problems without access to proper eye care. Children aged 5 to 15 are particularly vulnerable. Our ‘Vision Health Champions’ initiative aims to empower youth as ambassadors for change, breaking stigma and raising awareness around eye health.”

Chief guest Dr R.S. Dhaliwal, head of the non-communicable diseases division at ICMR, stressed the impact of technology overuse on both vision and mental health, urging the development of social skills and peer support to combat these challenges.

Sanjana Chauhan, founder of ‘Drishti’ and Youth Ambassador, underscored the urgent need for action. “Up to 40% of childhood blindness is preventable. With over 10 million children suffering from refractive errors, early identification is key. Through Drishti, we’ve reached over 78,000 children in underserved areas, providing free eye check-ups and spectacles.”

Amita Chauhan, chairperson of Amity Group of Schools, praised the initiative as a testament to Amity’s commitment to social responsibility. Jai Prakash Chaturvedi, director of affiliation at CBSE, encouraged students to engage actively in community outreach efforts.

The conference also featured technical sessions led by WHO India’s Dr B. Mohammed Asheel, focusing on global perspectives, youth training, and innovative eye care models in schools.

The event marks a significant step towards building a generation of youth advocates for vision health, promoting a culture of early intervention and inclusive care.

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