LEARNERS IN LA UNION RECEIVE VISION SCREENING FROM DOH-ILOCOS REGION

July 5, 2025 Provincial

The Department of Health (DOH)—Ilocos Region through its Regional Blindness Prevention Program conducted a five-day vision screening among grades 2 and 3 school learners of selected schools in La Union for the early detection and prevention of blindness among school children from June 24-27, 2025. The schools where the activity was conducted was
identified by the Department of Education (DepEd) – Region 1 including Bacnotan Central School, San Gabriel Central School, Aringay Central School and Agoo Est Central School. “It is important to start our vision screening at an early age to find children who might have eye problems or vision issues so that it can be treated immediately. It is the best way to prevent vision loss,” Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated. “Those that will be assessed with vision impairment will be referred by the regional office to the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center for treatment. Ito ay upang hindi maapektuhan ang kanilang pag-aaral at sila aymakapagtapos ng maayos at walang suliranin sa kanilang kalusugan.” The regional office also conducted orientation on the use of the Snellen Chart for visual acuity among school nurse and guidance counselor.

School learners were likewise given valuable information and education on eye prevention and blindness. Regional Blindness Prevention Program Manager Francisco S. De Vera, Jr., said that eye problems in children can often go unnoticed, as some issues may develop later during childhood. “Once we recognized the early signs of vision impairment, we should
immediately seek for timely treatment for the child’s overall health and well-being,” he emphasized. The vision screening among school learners is part of the DOH implementation of the Prevention of Blindness Program (PBP) which uses the primary health care framework to reach target clients in the community, school, and workplace. Likewise, flouride application for school learners was also conducted during the 4-day activity.