DOH Central Luzon intensifies advocacy on eye health

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Sept. 24 (PIA) -- Department of Health (DOH) convened partner agencies and other stakeholders for a webinar on "Eye Problems with E-Learning" to remind the public about the importance of eye health.

This is in accordance with the national government's National Prevention of Blindness Program (NPBP), which aims to empower communities to take proactive roles in the promotion of eye health and prevention of blindness.

During the forum, DOH Regional Director Cesar Cassion stressed that prevention of blindness and maintaining our eye health is of utmost importance, particularly during this COVID-19 pandemic.

"Amidst the rising number of COVID-19 cases, we have seen another pandemic of virtual meetings, webinars, and online celebrations. It is of utmost importance that we are able to push through with this webinar where we will be taught on how to prevent computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain," he said.

Meanwhile DOH Medical Officer III Madison Dominguez discussed the country's vision of reducing avoidable visual impairment by 25 percent by 2022.

"What we want to achieve under the NPBP is to reduce the burden of avoidable blindness and visual impairment by ensuring equitable access to a comprehensive package of quality eye care services," he said.

Dominguez said that to achieve this, the national government initiated different activities anchored on strategic action points including governance, service delivery, health promotion, and information management.

He also discussed about the National Vision Screening for Kindergarten Pupils, which aims to detect errors of refraction and amblyopia, so that necessary interventions will be given and referral to eye care practitioners will be made.

For his part, Pagamutan ng Dasmarinas Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Chairperson Jose Antonio Tan Paulino talked about the computer vision syndrome, its symptoms, and tips to prevent this.

Towards the end, the DOH assured that along with other government agencies, it one with the Filipino people in fighting for our right to sight.

Cassion also urged the participants to take advantage of the webinar to learn and apply simple tips in order to maintain optimal eye health. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)