Vientiane schoolchildren get vital eyesight screening
 
A lot of children have developed vision problems because of excessive use of smartphones and computer screens. This has happened in Laos too, but the number of children who get help for poor eyesight in Laos is very small, partly because their parents aren’t aware of their deteriorating vision and also because problems may be identified and diagnosed after damage has been done.

Guests and teachers gather for a group photo with the Fred Hollows Foundation team at Phaxay Primary School.

If a child has a problem with eyesight and their school doesn’t know about it, this poses difficulties with lessons and learning because they cannot see things clearly. And if nothing is done for a long period of time, there is a risk that the child could go blind.
Blind and visually impaired children have a very hard life. They are less likely to go to school, more likely to be left out, and more likely to experience emotional and developmental instability.
This year, the Australian NGO Cooperation Programme gave a grant to the Fred Hollows Foundation as a gift for children at six schools in Vientiane, to mark International Children’s Day.
The grant funded eyesight screenings at Phaxay and Phakhao primary schools, and other places like the ADDP Centre, the national health insurance office, and among villagers.
Vientiane Times attended screenings on two days at the end of June, when 563 people had their vision checked, including 260 children with disabilities, 303 parents and teachers, and 56 disabled adults.
During the screenings, students, teachers, parents and villagers learned the basics of eye function and how to take good care of their eyes, and were then tested to see if they had any vision problems.
Teachers were given a special briefing about basic ways to test children’s eyesight and were advised where to take children if they suspected a problem.
In addition to the sight tests, participants were given the chance to play games and answer questions to win prizes. They were also given free food and drinks.
Former Vice Director of the National Ophthalmologist Centre, Dr Siphetthavong Sisaleumsak, observed that today’s children are the innovators of tomorrow, but that they will not be able to fulfil their potential if impaired vision adversely affects their ability to learn.
“I believe that ensuring children have good eyesight is very important,” he said.
Children today are avid users of communications technology. On the one hand, this can be a useful learning tool because they become better informed about what’s going on around them, but if they spend too much time peering at screens, they run the risk of harming their eyesight.  

Teachers learn the basics of a vision test.

The Lao Country Manager of the Fred Hollows Foundation, Ms Souphonesa Xaypannha, said they would like to test the vision of all children in Vientiane, because the highest incidence of vision problems among 12 to 14 year olds occurs in urban areas.
“In 2017, the incidence of vision problems among children in Laos was low compared to neighbouring countries, but I think we will face a bigger problem in the future, Ms Souphonesa said.
“What we have found in Laos is that people have cataracts and poor vision like long- and short-sightedness, but these problems can easily be treated if they are diagnosed early on.”
“There are about 30 eye health specialists in Laos. It might seem like we have many but there aren’t nearly enough because some provinces and hospitals still don’t have an eye specialist.
Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Sports in Vientiane, Khamvanh Razakhanty, thanked the Fred Hollows Foundation for providing the eyesight tests.
Many people aren’t aware they have poor eyesight or deny that there’s a problem, including children’s parents, even though they know there’s something wrong, because they think that treatment will be expensive or that it’s simply unnecessary, he added.
“I would like all children to have their eyes checked annually before the start of the new academic year so that we know who has a problem with eyesight, and then we can help them.”
The Fred Hollows Foundation works in about 25 countries to reduce blindness.
Its staff have trained ophthalmologists, nurses and officials at the Ministry of Health with the aim of making treatment systems sustainable and in line with the needs of the community.
The Foundation has been working in Laos since 2008, providing treatment and preventing blindness in more than 5,000 villages in 990 districts of 10 provinces.

A boy has an eyesight test.	Children line up for eye tests.

By Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
(Latest Update July 25, 2022)