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Eye check-up and spectacles for patients from Sanguem: one trip for the whole family

From Sanguem taluka, a trip to Vasco takes most of an afternoon, so it makes sense to get as much done as possible in one visit: a grandparent's blurred sight, a child's school complaint, a parent's diabetic eye check and new spectacles for whoever needs them. ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is in Vasco, not in Sanguem: 2nd floor, Pai Hospital building, Vaddem Merces Road, Vaddem, Vasco da Gama.

Bringing several family members together

When you call 072489 88039, tell us how many people are coming and what each one needs, so that the afternoon can be planned. Each person needs their own spectacles, reports and medicine list. Remember that dilating drops blur close vision for a few hours, so the person who drives home should not be one of those having drops, unless you use the pickup and drop. We can collect you from your home and drop you back, at zero cost to the patient.

Thorns, leaves and husk: injuries that look small

Cashew picking, areca and coconut work, cutting grass and walking through forest paths all bring the risk of a scratch from a twig, a thorn or a leaf. A scratch from plant matter can carry fungus or bacteria into the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, and turn into a corneal ulcer, which can threaten sight. Warning signs over the next few days are pain, redness, watering, blurred vision or a white spot on the dark part of the eye.

• Do not put leftover eye drops, especially steroid drops, breast milk, herbal juice or oil in the eye.
• Rinse gently with clean water, cover the eye loosely, and get it examined the same day.
• Corneal ulcers are treated at ReNew Vision, and emergency eye care is available 24 hours.

Children who cannot see the blackboard

Children rarely say they cannot see. Look for a child who sits very close to the TV, holds a book near the face, squints, rubs the eyes, tilts the head or whose marks are falling. A children's eye check-up finds the power, and children are often given drops that relax their focusing so the true power can be measured. Sturdy frames and safe lens materials matter for village play; see spectacles for children.

Grandparents: sugar, BP and fading sight

Diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the retina without any pain. An older person who has not had an eye check-up for years should have the eye pressure measured and the retina examined, not only a power test. If someone already sees poorly even with the right glasses, magnifiers and other low-vision aids can help them read and recognise faces again. More on the complete eye check-up.

How to reach ReNew Vision from Sanguem

By road, about 51 km: through Curchorem and Sanvordem, north via Shiroda to the Borim bridge, then Loutolim, Verna and the Vasco road (NH 366). Allow about an hour and a quarter. A few trains run from Sanvordem-Curchorem station to Vasco da Gama station, about 3 km from the hospital; buses run from Sanguem to Curchorem and Margao, with frequent buses from Margao to Vasco. See coming from another town for the general plan.

Planning the afternoon

• The Eye OPD runs Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm, Friday included; Sunday OPD is closed.
• With several people to examine, arrive close to 4 pm: leave Sanguem town by about 2:30 pm.
• Bring each person's spectacles, old eye papers, medicine strips and sugar or BP reports.
• Bring snacks and water, especially for anyone with diabetes, because the wait for drops to work can be long.
• Ask when the spectacles will be ready, and whether they can be collected on a day when someone is already going towards Vasco or Margao.

Questions patients ask

Can several family members from Sanguem be checked on the same day?

Yes. Tell us when you call how many people are coming and what each needs, so the afternoon can be planned. Arrive close to 4 pm.

A cashew branch scratched my eye. Is it serious?

It can be. Plant matter can cause a corneal ulcer. Do not put leftover drops or home remedies in the eye. Rinse gently, cover it and have it examined the same day; emergency eye care is available 24 hours.

How do I know if my child needs spectacles?

Watch for squinting, sitting close to the TV, holding books near the face, rubbing the eyes or falling marks. A children's eye check-up finds the power.

Can someone drive us home after a family check-up?

Yes, if the driver has not had dilating drops. Drops blur close vision for a few hours. You can also ask for the home pickup and drop, at zero cost to the patient.

Is ReNew Vision in Sanguem?

No. ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is only in Vaddem, Vasco da Gama, about 51 km from Sanguem town.

This page is general eye-health information, not personal medical advice. Your eye doctor advises you after examining your eyes.