Students from Quezon receive free eye examination from GMA Kapuso Foundation

In commemoration of Sight Saving Month, the GMA Kapuso Foundation gave free eye checkups to 98 students at Sampaloc Elementary School in Sampaloc, Quezon.

According to a report on "24 Oras," Wednesday, eye specialists have been noticing an increase in children's blurred vision.

This includes the vision of seven-year-old Margoux, who spent the majority of her lockdown days looking at her gadgets.

"Napansin po ni teacher na biglang bagal po pala ng sulat niya. Kaya ganun ko po siyang pina-check sa eye center. Doon ko na-trace na mataas 'yung astigmatism niya tsaka 'yung grado niya sa mata," Margoux's mother, Faye Canlas, said.

"Dahil sa sobrang paggamit ng gadgets marami kaming nakitang mga bata na medyo lumala ang kanilang paningin, 'yung may mga iba na nagko-complain na laging masakit ang ulo, 'yung iba naman laging pumipikit at kumukurap 'yung mga mata, 'yung pinakamahirap doon eh 'yung pagtaas ng grado," Dr. Ronald Antonio Reyna said.

According to the Philippine Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, overusing gadgets often results in digital eye strain.

"May muscles sa mata 'yan eh napapagod rin 'yan. Minsan sumasakit ang ulo, ang mga mata ng mga bata," he added.

Through its 20/20 Eye Project and in collaboration with Vision Express, the GMA Kapuso Foundation organized an eye examination for the students.

"Nacheck po natin is almost 98 students, ranges po niya is to five to 14 years old. So 'yung kabuuan po na nakita natin na may grado po o may diperensya po sa mata or sa vision po nila, 40 out of 98 students po," Dr. Elizha Padua said.

"So they are in school so pagka-nagbabasa po, doing their homework, 'pag sa bahay, 'yung insufficient na light, 'yun po nakaka-cause din siya ng 'yung grado ng sa mata po natin," Dr. Charisse Alyssa M. Pillado said.

For those who are interested to help, the GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News