Walkathon 2017, On the occasion of World Sight Day, 15th October 2017 at ELLIOT`s Beach, Chennai.

A spirited awareness walk and eye screening camps to diverse sections to mark ‘World Sight Day’
celebrations by Optometric Association of Tamil Nanbargal (OATN) were held.

‘World Sight Day’ the annual event emphasizing the need for awareness on eye care and focus on blindness and vision impairment came live on the bright Sunday morning of October 15, 2017 with Dr. P.P. Santanam ,‘Father of occupational optometry in India’ and the first and former Principal of the Elite School of Optometry flagging off the ‘Walkathon-2017’ by the ‘Optometric Association of Tamil Nanbargal’. Nearly 1000 Practicing Optometrists, Head of Optometry schools from Tamil Nadu, Optometry students took part in this annual event. Ms. Poongothai, The President – OATN welcomed the gathering and also introduced the Chief Guest Dr. P.P. Santhanam. Before the flag –off Dr.Santanam addressed the gathering and emphasized such annual events and role of community eye care. Also thanked Dr S. S. Badrinath for introducing Four Year – Modern Optometry in India. The event came to an end with vote of thanks by organizing committee – OATN. During the vote of thanks the following organizations were acknowledged for their support for the walkathon 2017: Optometry Council of India (OCI), Indian Optometric Federation (IOF) and Association of Schools and College of Optometry (ASCO). OATN thanked all the industry sponsors and individual sponsors as well.

In addition to walkathon, OATN also organized an eye screening camp for school children and 1st time geriatric eye screening and counseling were given for the aged at various old age homes in various cities within Tamil Nadu. The geriatric vision screening of the OATNwas another major highlight of the event. The Vision screening activities were conducted throughout the month of October 2017. Both the events were well received by the public.

1st time the Walkathon 2017 was well covered by all major news media both before and after the event. The details are listed below.

The Hindu – Tamil Newspaper on October 14, 2017

Daily Thanthi Next- English New Paper October 16, 2017

Times of India – English New Paper October 17, 2017

Dinamani – Tamil Newspaper on October 15 & 17, 2017.