School learners from grades 2 and 3 of Bauang North Elementary School participated in the vision screening conducted by DOH – Ilocos Region led by staff of the Regional Blindness Prevention Unit poses for posterity after the activity.
THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region continues its vision screening for Grades 2 and 3 school learners in La Union with a total of 410 elementary pupils of the Bauang North Elementary School screened during yesterday’s activity in Bauang, La Union.
Regional Blindness Prevention Program Coordinator Francisco S. De Vera, Jr., said that vision screenings for school children are essential to help identify vision problems that can affect their learning and development. “Mas maaga nating malalaman ang problema nila sa kanilang paningin, mas makakapagbigay tayo ng early intervention upang ito ay mabigyan ng solusyon at hindi na lumala pa.”
“The vision screening test assesses visual acuity, ito yung gaano kaliwanag ang paningin ng isang bata sa iba’t-ibang distansya. Kasama rin dito ang screening for color blindness at depth perception, ang ability ng isang bata na makakita ng makatite mga bagay-bagay in three dimensions, including yung size ng object at gaano ito kalayo sa kanya,” De Vera explained.
According to grade school teachers of Bauang North Elementary School, the most commonly observed behaviors of some of their students during their reading exercises are squinting, and blinking. These are signs that a student has vision problems which may eventually lead to their poor academic performance and reduced grades.
De Vera added that teachers may not also be aware of their student’s vision problems. “That is why we are also educating them on blindness prevention and awareness for this problem to be given due attention.
“School learners found to have vision impairment will be referred to the Ilocos Training & Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) Ophthalmology Department for proper care and treatment,” he assured.
The regional office will be visiting the San Fernando City North Central School on September 13, 2024 to continue the vision screening activity. There are now more than 1,000 grade school learners screened during the three activities conducted in Catbangen Central School and Lingsat Elementary in San Fernando City and Bauang North Elementary School in La Union.
The activity was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Education Schools Division of La Union Office.
