The Ophthalmology Specialist Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya (PS PDS IK Mata – FMUB) carried out community service packaged in a series of “Eye Screening for Children with Down Syndrome” and held on Saturday, 1 October 2022, on the 2nd Floor of the Eye Clinic, Dr. Hospital. Saiful Anwar (RSSA) Malang.
Dr. dr. Nanda Wahyu Anandita, Sp.M (K) when interviewed by FMUB Public Relations said that currently, they are carrying out community service activities which are packaged in a series of World Sight Day 2022 with the theme “Raise awareness of eye health“, where healthy children have healthy eyes. She added they have observed that children without special needs (normal) do not understand when there is a problem in their eyes, especially children with special needs. They may have difficulty expressing their eye problems.
So in accordance with the theme this time, they performed eye screening for 70 children with down syndrome who have genetic disorders, which may be in other organs, one of which is the eye. Furthermore, it turned out that one child with Down syndrome had cataracts in their eyes, and many children with Down syndrome needed glasses.
There is a theory stating that Down syndrome is closely related to glasses. So far, they are also in school, and because they have difficulty communicating in conveying a disorder in their eyes. Indirectly, their activities in school are also disturbed. Thus, they should wear glasses.
In this community service activity, not only the eye study program took the role, but Pediatrics Health Sciences (IKA), undergraduate students, Young Doctors (Koas), and Eye Residents were also involved.
It is hoped that in the future parents, teachers at school, and even close family at home, will no longer be afraid to check their children’s health. Even though there are no complaints, routine checks up should be done. This activity is also expected to be able to educate in recognizing the presence of eye health problems in children with Down syndrome.
For parents whose children are detected with cataracts, the committee will provide assistance and education. If the parents cannot afford it, they will help find sponsors so that eye surgery can be done for the child with Down syndrome.
On the same occasion, one of the mothers of children with Down syndrome named Javas, namely Mrs. Ari Cahyo when interviewed admitted that she was very happy with eye screening activities for children with Down syndrome like her son. So with an early examination like this, it is hoped that later these children will grow up with healthy eyes. As a mother of 3 children, she hoped that this activity will also be carried out regularly in the future. Her child is considered very active, currently sitting in grade 5 at one of the Special Schools (SLB). Besides Javas also participates in modeling classes. The deficiency in growth and development does not hinder him to become a model. He won several model competitions and photo models, she explained. (Anank – Public Relations FMUB)