Help restore her eyesight.

The "Children's Eyesight" program is an annual activity organized by the Provincial Children's Protection Fund (BTTE) since 1997. Through the program, hundreds of children in the province suffering from refractive errors have received attention and support for treatment and surgery, helping them to have bright, healthy eyes for studying and playing.

The Provincial Children's Protection Fund, in coordination with the Provincial General Hospital, organized the "Children's Eyesight" program, providing screening and early detection of eye diseases for nearly 1,000 primary school children and children with existing eye conditions in Quang Yen commune (Song Lo district). Photo: Tra Huong

With the message "Giving light - Sowing hope," from 1997 to the present, the Provincial Children's Protection Fund, in coordination with medical units such as the Central Eye Hospital; the Ophthalmology Department of Hanoi Medical University Hospital, the Provincial General Hospital, etc., has organized the "Children's Eyesight" program, conducting free screening, vision tests, and eye disease diagnosis for more than 20,000 children in the province. Priority is given to providing free treatment and surgical support for hundreds of children aged 0 to under 16 from disadvantaged backgrounds, children from poor and near-poor households suffering from eye defects such as ptosis, cataracts, proptosis, strabismus, glaucoma, etc.

To effectively implement the program, the Provincial Children's Protection Fund annually collaborates with districts and cities to review and compile a list of children aged 0 to under 16 with eye defects for registration for examination. By 2021, with the goal of helping primary school children detect eye diseases early and receive timely care and treatment, the Provincial Children's Protection Fund has coordinated with the People's Committees of communes, wards, and towns to organize eye disease screening for children right at their schools.

During the check-ups, the children were examined by doctors and nurses who developed treatment plans tailored to each specific case. Simultaneously, the children and their parents received guidance and advice on how to care for, protect, and detect eye diseases early.

For cases where treatment is recommended by doctors, a list will be compiled, records completed, and surgery carried out during the summer break, ensuring that the children can start the new school year with healthy eyes, confidently studying and developing.

In addition to receiving free surgery, the children also receive financial support from the Provincial Children's Protection Fund for travel expenses before and after surgery, as well as a portion of their living expenses during hospital treatment. Furthermore, some children are advised by doctors to wear glasses and undergo amblyopia therapy; the organization will also consider donating glasses to those in particularly difficult circumstances.

Le Minh Lua, born in 2012, from Kim Xa commune (Vinh Tuong district), has suffered from ptosis since childhood, affecting her vision and facial aesthetics. Her poor eyesight has caused her many difficulties in daily life and studies. Due to her family's difficult circumstances, with her parents lacking stable jobs and earning low incomes, she has been unable to afford surgery. In 2023, after being examined at the "Children's Eyesight" program, doctors at the Ophthalmology Department of the Provincial General Hospital determined that she was eligible for surgery.

Le Minh Lua's mother shared: "For many years, my daughter has lived with feelings of inferiority and self-consciousness because of her eye deformity. Our family didn't have the means to take her for treatment, so when we heard that she would receive financial support for eye surgery, we were very happy and grateful to the Provincial Children's Protection Fund and all the benefactors."

Dr. Tran Van Ha, Head of the Ophthalmology Department at the Provincial General Hospital, said: “Currently, the rate of children with refractive errors is increasing. The main causes are incorrect posture while studying, reading in poorly lit environments, prolonged use of electronic devices; insufficient nutrition and essential vitamins; stressful and continuous study time, etc.”

For cases where refractive errors have already occurred, doctors advise families to take their children to reputable facilities for in-depth examinations and prescription glasses according to the child's eye condition; they also remind families to schedule regular check-ups and maintain a healthy lifestyle and study habits, encouraging outdoor activities to protect eye health.

Besides the support from medical facilities, many businesses and sponsors have also actively participated in this activity. For example, the No. 1 Eyeglasses Store in Lien Bao Ward (Vinh Yen); Truong Phuc Eye Hospital - a branch of Vinh Phuc Eye Hospital Joint Stock Company in Lien Bao Ward (Vinh Yen)... have donated hundreds of eyeglasses to children with refractive errors from poor and near-poor households and families in difficult circumstances.

The "Children's Eyesight" program is one of the annual programs of the Provincial Children's Protection Fund aimed at protecting and bringing light to children, especially children in rural areas, children in difficult circumstances, and children from poor and near-poor households.

Building on the achievements already made, in 2025, the Provincial Children's Protection Fund will coordinate with medical units to examine and recommend surgery for 150-200 children with eye deformities, provide financial support for surgery for 35-40 children; and mobilize sponsors to support and donate eyeglasses to approximately 30 children.

Huong Giang

Source: http://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/128496/Tim-lai-doi-mat-sang-cho-em