BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health Center for Health and Development-Cordillera (DOH-CAR) and the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) advocate early eye care for children to ensure healthy eyes and clear vision as they grow up.
Medical Specialist III Dr. Lilette Marie Canilao of the BGHMC Department of Ophthalmology, in a Kapihan media forum at the DOH-CAR Regional Office on Thursday (August 8), said they are advocating for eye screening of children between 3-5 years old because it is the good time to catch if there is a problem.
Canilao also advised parents or guardians and teachers to observe the children for mannerisms that maybe due to eye problems like eye twitching, reading or watching with head sideways or going near the board or subjects when reading. They should have their eyes screened.
“Kung kailangan niya ng salamin ibigay po natin. We give them (eye) glasses so they can have clear vision. For you to know talaga kung anung problema sa mata ng bata, let them be checked,” she said.
Canilao also reiterated that too much time on gadgets or computers can cause eye strain, dry eyes and headaches especially on children. Thus, she advised the limiting of gadget time for children.
For those spending work hours on computers, take a break every two hours. The use or application of artificial tears, which can be bought over the counter help prevent dry eyes and ease eye strain, she said.
She also advised the public, especially young adults who are into fashionable contact lenses, to make sure that they are only using Food and Drug Administration (FDA) medical grade types and with appropriate solutions.
With diabetes a common problem among people nowadays, Canilao also advised diabetic people to have their eyes checked by an ophthalmologist as uncontrolled sugar level also affect the eyes.
For other eye care tips, go visit an ophthalmologist if experiencing red eyes; avoid habitual rubbing of eyes as it may cause an increase in eye grade; do not consult the neighbors or pharmacist on eye problems or medicines; make sure to use only FDA- approved eye drops and eye care products and avoid wearing glasses that are not personally customized.
The DOH-CAR along with its partners from the BGHMC promoted August health events in the kapihan forum, which include Sight Saving Month, which for this year adopts the theme, “Malabong Mata’y Iwasan, Pagkunsulta sa Mata’y I-practice yan! Para sa #HealthyPilipinas!” (CCD-PIA CAR)
