SENATOR Mark Villar filed a measure seeking to establish a grant program to provide vision care to children.

In Senate Bill 2255 or the proposed Vision Care for Kids Act, Villar said poor vision has a significant impact on the overall well-being, educational development, and productivity of children.

“If detected and addressed at an early age, many visual impairments can be treated, and further complications can be prevented,” Villar said in his explanatory note.

He noted in the Philippines, the lack of funding for the program serves as a barrier in accessing adequate vision care.

The measure cited a report by UP Manila National Institutes of Health’s Philippine Eye Research Institute stating that in a classroom of 40, four have vision impairments or disorders such as amblyopia or myopia.

“More than 10 percent of Filipino kindergarten-aged pupils are affected by poor vision, and many children are still left undiagnosed,” Villar said.

The measure will complement current state efforts by granting funds to LGUs.

By awarding grants, comprehensive eye examinations, treatments, and services can be accessed by more Filipino children and more educational materials on eye care can be disseminated to the public.