The eye hospital of the northern province of Son La provided free eye care services for nearly 1,000 students in Thuan Chau district and Son La city during December 3-4. The hospitals provided the students with eye examinations, screening for refractive error, and free glasses. It also organized a painting contest to promote eye care and protection. Around 400 pairs of glasses have been given to students with vision problems throughout the charitable program. Son La is a mountainous province where a majority of habitants are ethnic minority people of different groups. The local ethnic minority people, particularly the children, have limited access to eye care services. As such, the event was held to increase awareness of vision problems, such as refractive error, among teachers, students, and parents and improve the local eye care service system. According to Vu Tien Quyen, Director of the Son La Eye Hospital, refractive errors like near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism are the main causes of vision loss, blindness, and other sight-related disabilities which ultimately affect children’s ability to study as well as their general daily activities. (Vietnam Plus Dec 4)
