Optometric Association organises walkathon – The Hindu

The Optometric Association of Tamil Nanbargal (OATN) organised a walkathon at Elliot’s Beach on Sunday (March 1, 2026) to mark World Optometry Day, observed annually on March 23.

Nearly 700 participants, including practicing optometrists and students from around 20 Schools of Optometry in and around Chennai, took part in the awareness initiative aimed at highlighting the importance of primary eye care and the role of optometrists in the community.

The walkathon was flagged off by R. Krishna Kumar, president of the Ophthalmic Sciences Professional Council under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. He emphasised annual eye check-ups, preventive care, and implementation of the new five-year optometry curriculum under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions to standardise education and practice.

OATN members highlighted initiatives in school vision screening, occupational optometry and geriatric doorstep eye care services. Actor Yogi Babu and his wife, optometrist Manju Bhargavi were also present.