Carnival addresses vision impairment
POOR eyesight seems an unlikely contender on the scale of world health problems but uncorrected vision affects almost a third of the world population. This translates to millions impaired from achieving their true potential and the World Health Organization estimates a two-hundred-billion-dollar yearly loss of productivity.
Management and Science University (MSU) teamed up with the industry to advance its cause for blindness prevention.
MSU Eye Carnival 2018 not only brought vision health’s importance into focus but also real-world skills to the university’s future eye-care professionals. The annual event, jointly organised by MSU Eye Centre, MSU Optometry Students Club and the Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS) of the MSU Faculty of Health and Life Sciences put students in charge of the week’s activities to develop their personal as well as professional competencies.
“Leadership, organising skills and soft skills will develop holistic, balanced and well-rounded students,“said MSU president, Prof Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid, at the launch of the carnival.
The event comprised eye-screening, product booths, a poster competition, a personality grooming workshop, professional development short courses and the Junior Optometrist Challenge. A highlight of the launch was the Contact Lens Fashion Runway competition, where lecturers paraded the Black Illusion and Lavendar Iris colour contact lenses supplied by event partner, Alcon Vision Care (M) Sdn Bhd.
This was followed by a special guest performance of the traditional Kuda Kepang dance by students of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Jalan U3 Subang Perdana, one of the many schools receiving vision aid through the community engagement work of MSU.
Blindness prevention is one of MSU’s core research areas. With many children worldwide belonging to families who can’t afford an eye examination, such aid reduces the statistics while helping children see better, achieve more and excel in school.
Prof Shukri received a contribution to the university’s cause for sight from Hoya (M) Sdn Bhd, which was presented by the company’s senior commercial development manager, KS Tan.
In attendance at the launch were Alcon business development manager, Ranukka Singham and Affin Islamic Bank Berhad branch manager, Fadlan Zainuddin. Other industry sponsors of MSU Eye Carnival 2018 were Alcon Pharmaceutical (M) Sdn Bhd, Essilor (M) Sdn Bhd, Frames and Lenses Sdn Bhd, Optimax Sdn Bhd, Malaya Optical Group, Optic Eyecom (M) Sdn Bhd, ST Eyewear Sdn Bhd, Ramsay Sime Darby and the Selangor State Secretary.
MSU offers a four-year Bachelor in Optometry (Honours) programme and three-year Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing programme.
The FHLS DOVS organises the biennial Optometry and Vision Science Exhibition and Seminar in collaboration with MSU Eye Centre, the well-equipped on-campus facility offering a wide range of clinical and commercial services in optometry and vision science, and promoting blindness prevention through community engagement activities.
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