DOH Regional Coordinator on Blindness Prevention Program Francisco De Vera, Jr., led the distribution of eyeglasses for senior citizens in Vigan City during the vision screening for senior citizens held at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center.
THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region provided vision screening to more than 300 senior citizens in the City of Vigan, Ilocos Sur to effectively monitor and detect possible eye concerns among the elderly population.
DOH Regional Coordinator on Blindness Prevention Program Francisco De Vera, Jr., said that as a person age, the sensory systems also failing especially those with medical conditions like diabetes, neuropathy and deafness.
“Kailangang bigyan natin ng halaga ang kalusugan ng ating mga mata habang tayo ay nagkaka-edad at magpatingin agad sa espesyalista kung tayo ay nakakaramdam ng panlalabo ng ating paningin dahil baka tayo ay mayroon ng katarata o glaucoma.”
“Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects a person 50 years and older and the causes are smoking, high blood pressure and eating a diet high in saturated fat,” he explained.
The activity was held at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center on August 20, 2024 in celebration of Sight Saving Month.
Aside from the vision screening, senior citizens were given information and lectures on the importance of proper eye care and prevention of avoidable blindness.
Free reading glasses were also distributed to the patients in need.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco encouraged seniors to be mindful of their health and by taking good care of their eyesight. “Loss of vision increases the risk of accidents for older people. The earlier these problems are detected and treated, the more they can be prevented.”
“Taking care of our eyes benefits our overall health,” she emphasized
She added that the regional office will visit the provinces of La Union this coming September to conduct more vision screening tests for grade school learners and senior citizens.
The activity in Ilocos Sur was conducted in collaboration with the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrist Inc. – Ilocos Sur Chapter and the Ilocos Sur Provincial Health Office.
The regional office also held vision screening for Grades 2 and 3 school learners of Lingsat Integrated School in San Fernando City, La Union on August 22, 2024 in partnership with the Ilocos Training & Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) Ophthalmology Department and in collaboration with the San Fernando City Health Office and the Department of Education Schools Division of La Union Office.
