Health
PBBM sets 2nd week of Oct as Nat’l Myopia Consciousness Week
By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency
“Myopia or nearsightedness is a refractive error in which rays of light entering the eye parallel to the optic axis are brought to a focus in front of the retina when ocular accommodation is relaxed,” the proclamation read. (Pexels photo)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared the second week of October as “National Myopia Consciousness Week” in an effort to promote public awareness on the dangers of myopia.
Based on Proclamation 722 signed by Marcos on Oct. 28, the Department of Health, as well as the Professional Regulation Commission and its Board of Optometry, will lead the annual observance of the National Myopia Consciousness Week.
“Myopia or nearsightedness is a refractive error in which rays of light entering the eye parallel to the optic axis are brought to a focus in front of the retina when ocular accommodation is relaxed,” the proclamation read.
“There is a need to promote public awareness on the dangers of myopia, and acknowledge the importance of myopia prevention and control to encourage healthier lifestyle habits among Filipinos,” it added.
Marcos cited the report of the World Health Organization – Brien Holden Vision Institute’s report about the rapid global rise in myopia.
The President said there is a forecast that by 2030 and 2050, around 3.36 billion and 4.8 billion people, respectively, will be affected, increasing the risk of vision impairment from conditions like retinal damage, cataracts, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration.
Proclamation 722 urges all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, to render active participation and support for the conduct of activities for the observance of the National Myopia Consciousness Week.
Local government units, non-government organizations, professional associations and the private sector are encouraged to do the same.
