THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region in partnership with the Ilocos Training & Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) Ophthalmology Department conducted vision screening for Grades 2 and 3 school learners of Catbangen Central School in San Fernando City, La Union on August 9, 2024.in celebration of Sight Saving Month this August.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that vision screening in schools is essential in identifying students with vision impairments that could affect their academic performance.
“Some children may not be aware they have vision problems, and kapag hindi ito nabigyan ng proper attention, makakaapekto ito sa kanilang academic performance. With regular screening, this problem can be detected and corrected early.”
“Napakahalaga ng ating vision, and it is an important part of a child’s overall health and development. Kailangang bigyan natin ito ng sapat na pagpapahalaga because it affects their physical, intellectual, social, and emotional well-being,” Sydiongco stated.
A total of 350 Grade 2 and 3 pupils were screened for vision and other eye-related diseases.
Aside from the screening, a lecture on blindness prevention and awareness was also given to the school learners.
Regional Blindness Prevention Program Coordinator Francisco S. De Vera, Jr., said that they are planning to conduct more vision screening among elementary students to promote eye health and prevent blindness and to strengthen the implementation of the National Prevention of Blindness Program (NPBP) which aims to eliminate avoidable blindness.
“The NPBP focuses on three major eye conditions including blindness due to cataracts, uncorrected refractive errors (URE), and childhood blindness. And we have to identify children with eye problems and immediately refer them to eye centers for treatment,” De Vera emphasized.
The activity is also in collaboration with the San Fernando City Health Office and the Department of Education Schools Division of La Union Office.
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