Visual Tests

We examine 5 to 8-year-old children in monastic schools in and around Mandalay (second largest city in Myanmar) in order to test their vision with the help of a standardized vision test. If this vision is poor, the children are given glasses free of charge, medicine or - if necessary - surgery. In every case the children are presented to the ophthalmologist Dr Tin Mg Thant of the Mandalay Children's Eye Clinic (MEENT) and treatment is coordinated. The costs for glasses and treatment by the ophthalmologist are not covered by the schools, but by the project "German Eyesight Project (GEP)".

How does eye testing at the monastery schools work?
 
Step 1: The examination includes two tests for vision. One test for near vision and one for vision in the distance. With the help of simple visual charts, the children point to symbols that are getting smaller. So the examination can be carried out without language ot other communication problems.

Step 2: The children who have a visual impairment or other eye problems are taken to a local optician eyeglass fitting or to the Mandalay Pediatric Eye Clinic for further examination.

Step 3: The children receive their new glasses and are prepared to wear them together with their parents and teachers.
 

At which schools are the examinations carried out?

For the first project phase 2017/2018, 1.000 children were examinated at the Phaung Daw Oo Monastic High School (PDO) and eight other schools in Mandalay.

During the next project phase 2019/2020 it tested children of PDO and six other schools. The children aged 5 - 8 in the schools and all children who had a visual impairment or received glasses at our last visit.