Nikita, a student of ninth standard at the GHSS Matigarha Girls School, would often face challenges in seeing clearly but didn’t quite understand the cause or the solution to it.
Her blurred vision affected her life in many ways, most significant of which was how it hampered her academics. Unable to see clearly, and troubled by constant headaches and watering eyes, Nikita’s concentration started waning and eventually, so did her interest in her studies. This was a huge blow, as Nikita, a first-generation student had always scored well in class, and now her academic performance was plummeting.
The door-to-door screenings played a pivotal role in transforming Nikita’s life. Through one of these screenings, a community health worker (CHW), Sangita Paul, stood at Nikita’s doorstep, explaining the purpose and importance of eye screening to her mother, Bijali. Seeing this as a ray of hope, Bijali didn’t waste a moment in getting her daughter’s eyes checked. But Nikita had her own reservations.