WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Lions Club has announced the continuation of its “Bunita Bista” project, which provides free vision screenings for primary school students across the island. Last school year, the initiative tested the eyesight of 2,161 children from ten schools, revealing that nearly 30 percent suffered from reduced vision.
The screenings were carried out in collaboration with youth from the LEO Club and medical students from St. Martinus University. Nine of the participating schools fell under Catholic management, and one was the New Song School. Each school received results so parents could take action, whether by visiting an optician, family doctor, or specialist.
The project uses one of the latest models of vision screening cameras, also employed in the United States at the Lions Eye Institute and the Lions Medical Eye Bank in Florida.
Screening Results
Of the 2,161 students screened:
70% (1,515 children) passed without major issues
30% (646 children) required referral to an optician or specialist
The most common conditions detected were farsightedness (36.7%), myopia or nearsightedness (31%), and astigmatism (24%). Less frequent were anisometropia (2.8%, differences in eye strength), while no cases of anisocoria (unequal pupil size) were found. About 5.4% of screenings produced unclear results.
The Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature (GMN) has advised that in cases of anisometropia, children should be sent directly to a doctor to check for amblyopia (“lazy eye”), which can be treated more effectively if detected early.
Inclusive and supportive approach
The Lions Club emphasized that undocumented children are also included in the screenings to ensure no child is left behind. For families unable to afford glasses, the Lions Club covers the cost, giving every child the opportunity for better vision and a brighter future.
The organization expressed gratitude to the schools and the Ministry of GMN for their cooperation, noting that although not all school boards responded, the project will continue in the new school year. The Lions Club is hopeful that schools and parents will once again lend their full support.
