The VisionSave Mobile Eye Bus will bring eye care to the door step of Singaporeans, especially the elderly and underprivileged community with poor mobility.
Madam Gan (above) suffers from poor vision that affects her independence and mobility. She is unemployed, and she lives alone with no caregivers to help her with daily tasks or take her to the doctor.
When the Mobile Eye Bus visited, she participated in an eye screening and was diagnosed with cataract in both eyes. With a simple surgery, her vision can be restored.
Launched by Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) on the 18th National Eye Care Day, the VisionSave Mobile Eye Bus will travel to various locations and nursing homes in Singapore to help more people like Mdm Gan gain access to eye care.
The Mobile Eye Bus is equipped with a full range of eye screening and diagnostic equipment. It offers screening programmes to ensure early detection, eye care referrals and health education to improve awareness of eye care, especially to those who find it difficult to physically go to clinics.
Those screened in the Mobile Eye Bus will receive screening reports and appropriate advice for follow-ups.
The VisionSave Mobile Eye Bus was unveiled on National Eye Care Day, 25 November 2017, by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.
SNEC found that one in three people detected with vision loss during community screenings do not seek follow-up care due to lack of awareness or lack of resources.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State (Health and Environment & Water Resources) said, "Recognising the need to reach out to the elderly who are less mobile, and the under-privileged group, SNEC and the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) are launching their mobile eye bus to research on the impact of providing in-reach eye screening services to these two groups."
The Mobile Eye Bus is a project of VisionSave, a national philanthropic initiative by SNEC and SERI. Funds raised through VisionSave go towards supporting educational programmes to generate awareness of eye disease and funding research for better treatments.
Professor Wong Tien Yin, Medical Director of SNEC, shared, "We to find ways to make eye care accessible to all segments of society – the elderly and underprivileged included. Through our VisionSave Mobile Eye Bus and VisionSave fundraising initiatives, we hope to help as many people as possible save and preserve their sight."
Log on to visionsave.sg/donate to support VisionSave.
