Fire volunteer offers free eye checkups every Sunday
The initiative was spearheaded by civic leader and fire volunteer Jason Yu as part of an ongoing dental and medical mission in Manila.
Many of those availing of the service are elderly residents who experience age-related vision problems but may not have the financial means to seek regular eye care.
Yu organized a fundraising campaign to purchase an autorefractor machine and prescription eyeglasses for the program.
The equipment allows the mission to conduct faster and more accurate initial eye examinations, helping identify patients who may need corrective lenses.
Residents who require eyeglasses are also provided with prescription glasses free of charge.
For elderly beneficiaries, the assistance can make everyday activities such as reading, walking, and recognizing people easier, particularly for those who have long struggled with poor vision.
The program also aims to help residents who might otherwise postpone an eye examination because of the cost of consultation and prescription glasses.
The free eye checkups form part of the broader dental and medical mission, which provides basic health services to members of the community.
Through the weekly Sunday service, Yu and the organizers hope to make basic eye care more accessible to residents and encourage those experiencing vision problems to have their eyesight checked.