World Sight Day celebrated with eye checks for Ted Diro students

World Sight Day falls on the second Thursday of October and is celebrated annually throughout the world.

As lead up of activity to commemorate the World Sight Day, a free eye testing school screening was done at Ted Diro Primary School this morning.

 The schools screening is an ongoing project funded by the USAID which will be carried throughout this year.

PNG Eye Care Ophthalmologist Dr. Jambi Garap says what the Eye Care Team try to do is to detect if there are any problems the students are facing with their sight.

“Usually the percentage of people who is most like to have some problem with their sight is about 3 to 4 % of the school population.”

Dr. Garap says that it is significant as they are children and if they don’t get their sight problems sorted out, checked or looked at quickly; it is bound to get worse as they get older.

Over 10 different schools in NCD have undergone the free eye testing and eye care educational talks with the PNG Eye Care Team.

The students are tested with a chart range of how far and clearly they can see the letters on the chart of which those who cannot see and or read the letter out properly, will be given a referral form to take home for their parents to signed off and be given a proper eye test at the Port Moresby General Hospital Eye Care Clinic.

Author: 
Annette Kora