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PREVENTING BLINDNESS THROUGH RESEARCH
The Philippine Eye Research Institute was established by virtue of Republic Act 4593 on June 19, 1965 and the oldest unit under the National Institutes of Health
It remains to be the forefront and main steward in conducting blindness prevention programs for the country through basic, clinical, and epidemiological research. It is committed to the prevention and control of eye diseases specifically those prevalent in the Philippines
In its 55 years of existence, PERI has become the center of eye research in the country. Its research staff has contributed significant number of scientific publications and published several books and monographs on eye diseases. It has also formed linkages with other government and non-government agencies such as DOH, DepEd, PCHRD, WHO, and NCSP
"Malinaw na Paningin ang Aming Hangarin"
LONGER LIFE, SAVING SIGHT
House Bill No. 3222 “An Act Establishing a National Vision Screening Program for Kindergarten Pupils and Appropriating Funds Therefor” was introduced to the 17th Congress by Representative Pia Cayetano et al, and the Senate Bill No. 1706 “National Vision Screening Act” introduced to the Senate by Senator Sonny Angara. The bill was signed into law by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on July 31, 2019 as Republic Act 11358
NATIONAL VISION SCREENING PROGRAM - LAW
Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is a common condition among children that can cause permanent visual impairment if left untreated. Treatment involves corrective lenses and/or patching before the child reaches age 7.The NVSP, spearheaded by PERI, in collaboration with DOH and DepEd, aims to screen all kindergarten pupils entering the Filipino school system. This will be conducted by trained teachers and school health personnel. Students who fail the screening will be asked to sit in the first rows of the class as an immediate intervention and are subsequently referred to eye care practitioners for evaluation and treatment
NATIONAL VISION SCREENING PROGRAM - KIT
National Prevalence of Visual Impairment = 1.98%
•Visual Impairment as defined by the World Health Organization, refers to Visual Acuity worse than 20/70. It includes those who are not allowed to drive to those who cannot walk or do everyday tasks unassisted.
•Catar 1.06% (1.112M Filipinos)
Major Causes of Visual Impairment
•Cataract: 1.06% (1.112M Filipinos)
•Requiring surgery: 333,639
•Uncorrected Errors of Refraction: 0.38% (398,688 Filipinos)
•Glaucoma: 0.27% (283,287 Filipinos)
•Maculopathy/Diabetic Retinopathy: 0.2% (209,836 Filipinos)
National Prevalence of Eye Diseases among Filipinos with Little to No Visual Impairment (VA of 20/70 or Better)
•Errors of Refraction: 3.26% (3.4M Filipinos)
•Glaucoma: 0.69% (0.7M Filipinos)
•Diabetic Retinopathy: 0.59% (0.6M Filipinos)