As part of the “A Bright Life Project,” eight different eye screening stations were simultaneously set up for the first time in Turkey in Sultanbeyli, Istanbul. The project is being carried out through a public-university-civil society collaboration, involving Üsküdar University, Istanbul Bilgi University, Muş Alparslan University, the Sultanbeyli District Governorship, the Sultanbeyli District Health Directorate, the Sultanbeyli District Directorate of National Education, and the Turkish Red Crescent. In this context, workshops on painting, music, and eye health were also organized to support children's cognitive and artistic development. With this pioneering practice focused on children’s eye health, it is aimed to support their academic and social development through early diagnosis.
Within the scope of an eye and hearing screening protocol signed with the Sultanbeyli District Health Directorate, eye screenings were carried out for 766 students at Sultanbeyli Mehmet Corcor Primary School.
The screenings evaluated basic vision-related issues that may affect children’s quality of life, such as visual acuity, pupillary distance, autorefractometry, iridoscopy, strabismus, and color blindness.
Students requiring further evaluation were referred to healthcare institutions for advanced diagnostics and treatment.
Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Akif Sezerol: “A healthy child means a healthy generation”
Sultanbeyli District Health Director Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Akif Sezerol emphasized the importance of the implementation. Sezerol stated that “This comprehensive eye screening conducted in our district is a model example showing how effectively preventive healthcare services can be applied in the field. This collaborative model, which is executed with public institutions, universities, and volunteers, is exemplary. A health issue identified early on can prevent much greater social and economic burdens in the future. A healthy child means a healthy generation. Children identified during the screenings are being monitored in coordination with our main partners. Through these initiatives, families are becoming more aware, and our children's connection to the healthcare system is being strengthened. Especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas, the continuity of such field practices is of great importance.”
Prof. Haydar Sur: “The foundation of a healthy society begins with children”
Dean of Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Haydar Sur, spoke on the importance of eye health screenings and stated that “This model is one of the most effective forms of public health intervention on the ground. Early diagnosis is not just a medical intervention, and it is also a matter of education and equal opportunity. The foundation of a healthy society begins with children. The preventive aspect of medicine should always take priority over treatment. With such screenings, we are introducing our children to the preventive healthcare system at an early school age. At the same time, our medical students are participating in the field, gaining internship experience in early diagnosis, public health, and field practices. This hands-on experience contributes both to their professional development and to learning public health components in real-life settings.”
Instructor Aykut Çağlı: “We are building a strong bridge between scientific knowledge and practice”
Instructor Aykut Çağlı, Instructor in the Opticianry Program at Istanbul Bilgi University and project coordinator, emphasized the project's contribution to health awareness and stated that “These screenings allow us to see not just the students, but the future. Every screening is an investment in children’s academic success, social adaptation, and quality of life. Data from our project is being transformed into academic publications. In this way, we are building a strong bridge between scientific knowledge and real-world application. This newly developed screening model, which is featuring 8 simultaneous stations, 3 workshops, and advanced measurement techniques, was implemented for the first time in Turkey. Thanks to new screening models, we can reach our children quickly, safely, and effectively, and conduct field activities in a much more systematic way. Our opticianry students take an active role in these initiatives, gaining the opportunity to improve their professional knowledge and skills through practical training in the field. At the same time, they experience the personal responsibility of directly contributing to public health.”
Sustainability of the program is the goal
The project aims not only to increase children's engagement with the healthcare system but also to raise overall health awareness across the community.
It is also intended that this initiative, which positively contributes to children's educational lives, becomes a sustainable model.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)