Free eye check-ups for domestic workers

Ledy Jilly Bongolo, 28, a foreign domestic worker from Indonesia, has her eye pressure measured using a tonometer. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Foreign domestic helpers receive free eye checks from Essilor Vision Foundation and Optometry for Sight at United World College of South East Asia. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Foreign domestic helpers receive free eye checks from Essilor Vision Foundation and Optometry for Sight at United World College of South East Asia. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

SINGAPORE - About 600 foreign domestic helpers received free eye checks and sunglasses on Sunday (Oct 2) as part of an initiative by the Essilor Vision Foundation and Optometry Giving Sight.

Held at the United World College of South East Asia campus along Dover Road, the event was organised together with non-governmental organisation Aidha, which provides domestic workers with business skills.

They were helped by volunteers from the Ngee Ann Polytechnic School of Health Sciences.

Of the 595 who were screened, most of whom were from Indonesia and the Philippines, 30 per cent were found to have uncorrected poor vision.

They received vouchers for further examinations at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic optometry centre and free glasses.

Mr Jayanth Bhuvaraghan, chief corporate mission officer for Essilor International, said the initiative was aimed at providing better vision to under-served communities here.

In the run-up to World Sight Day on Oct 13, the two organisations will also provide free screenings for migrant workers at their dormitory, as well as needy Singaporeans.

At the Anchorvale Community Club on Sunday (Oct 2), 500 residents of the Anchorvale and Sengkang districts also received eye screenings courtesy of the Singapore National Eye Centre and the Singapore Lions Clubs.

Part of efforts to increase awareness about eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, the event marked the eighth Lions World Sight Day and was attended by Minister of State for Health and Member of Parliament for Sengkang West, Dr Lam Pin Min.

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