Experts urge Filipinos to get regular eye check-ups

In observance of "Sight Saving Month" and after the issuance of Proclamation No. 40, which aims to raise awareness on Prevention and Treatment for Individuals with Eye Disorders or Diseases and the Blindness Program Prevention, eye experts urged the public to get regular eye check-ups to prevent blindness and eye diseases.

“Ang tutok talaga natin ngayon month ay sa ating paningin. Ine-emphasize nito yung importance ng protection saka taking care sa ating mata," said Department of Health Diseases Prevention and Control Bureau's Elderly, Vulnerable, and Special Populations Team Dr. Maria Rosario Sylvia Uy during Friday's DOH Kapihan forum.

"Bilang public health servant sa DOH, ine-encourage namin na magpa-checkup po sa atin primary health care facilities para sa visual screening, at iba pang pangangailangan ng ating mata.”

(Our focus this month is on our eyes. It emphasizes the importance of protection and taking care of our eyes. As a public health servant in the DOH, we encourage you to have your eyes checked at our primary health care facilities for visual screening and other eye needs.)

According to the Philippine Eye Health Survey, 60 of 100 individuals have experienced eye problems in the past three years.

Dr. Leo Cubillan of the Philippine Eye Research Institute, National Institute of Health said the top 5 eye problems in the country were the following:

• Blurry of vision
• Eye itchiness
• Eye redness
• Eye pain
• Eye injury or trauma

Meanwhile, the top 3 reasons why Filipinos do not seek eye consultations are:

• Affordability
• Unavailability of eye doctors
• Fear of diagnosis and procedures

Cubillan said patients have several options for eye treatments, whether in a community health facility, tertiary facilities like regional and national hospitals, and eye referral and national specialty centers.

Dr. Cubillan also highlighted the importance of the "20-20-20" rule to prevent eye strain and dry eyes.

"Take a 20-second break for every 20 minutes of work by looking at something 20 feet away," he said, noting that the human eyes are most relaxed when looking far away.

“Pag nakatutok tayo sa screen, ang pag-blink natin is less. Mas hindi tayo nagbi-blink kaya nagd-dry yung eyes, especially those 40 years old and above,” he added.

(When focused on the screen, we blink less. We don't blink more, so the eyes get dry, especially those 40 years old and above.)

Dr. Uy also noted those who work with computers all day are more at risk of having dry eyes.

The doctors also advised using a cold compress to relieve the itchiness instead of rubbing it.

Moreover, the doctors warned that laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery is not the first option despite its popularity and effectiveness.

For both of them, eyeglasses or contact lenses are still the best options to improve one's eyesight.

“Ang pinaka-importante ay maalagaan ang mata natin, kaya ang goal ng ating mga doctors and mga research na ginagawa natin ay para maiwasan yung pagkabulag,” Dr. Cubillan noted.

(The most important thing is to take care of our eyes, so the goal of our doctors and our research is to prevent blindness.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News