# Malaysia Faces Rising Childhood Myopia Challenge: VISTA Eye Specialist, EssilorLuxottica, UiTM and SK Jalan U3 Join Forces to Protect Children's Vision

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/malaysia-faces-rising-childhood-myopia-challenge-vista-eye-specialist-essilorluxottica-uitm-and-sk-jalan-u3-join-forces-to-protect-childrens-vision
- Published: 2026-07-03T14:55:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

School-based initiative identifies vision problems in 1 in 2 students screened, 
while providing specialist eye screening, prescription spectacles and preventive
healthcare directly to students and families

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia, July 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Childhood myopia (short-sightedness)
is becoming one of the fastest-growing public health challenges worldwide. Research
by the Brien Holden Vision Institute estimates that nearly **half of the world’s
population—around five billion people—will be myopic by 2050**, increasing the risk
of serious eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma and myopic macular 
degeneration later in life.

 [ ⌊Pictured from left (fourth onwards): Dr Ishaq Bin Abdul Hakim, Consultant Ophthalmologist of VISTA Eye Specialist; Wong Kok Yoong, Commercial Head of EssilorLuxottica; En. Md Hishamuddin, Headmaster of SK Jalan U3; Ms Tan Chin-Ching, CEO of VISTA Eye Specialist; and Dr Nur Sabrina, Head of Department, UiTM, during the Program Komuniti Kesihatan Mata held on 13 June 2026 at Dewan SK Jalan U3.⌉ ](https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/3002329/WhatsApp_Image_2026_06_29_at_14_22_24.html)

Pictured from left (fourth onwards): Dr Ishaq Bin Abdul Hakim, Consultant Ophthalmologist
of VISTA Eye Specialist; Wong Kok Yoong, Commercial Head of EssilorLuxottica; En.
Md Hishamuddin, Headmaster of SK Jalan U3; Ms Tan Chin-Ching, CEO of VISTA Eye Specialist;
and Dr Nur Sabrina, Head of Department, UiTM, during the Program Komuniti Kesihatan
Mata held on 13 June 2026 at Dewan SK Jalan U3.

While myopia is increasingly common, many children continue to struggle with undetected
vision problems that affect their learning, confidence and everyday life. As more
time is spent on digital devices and less outdoors, eye care professionals are seeing
children develop myopia at younger ages than before, making early detection and 
intervention more important than ever.

To raise awareness and improve access to children’s eye care, **VISTA Eye Specialist**,
together with **EssilorLuxottica Malaysia**, **Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)**
and **SK Jalan U3**, organised **Program Kesihatan Mata Komuniti 2026**, bringing
specialist eye care services directly into the school community.

Held at Dewan SK Jalan U3, the programme benefited more than 250 parents, teachers
and community members, while 150 students underwent comprehensive eye examinations
conducted by ophthalmologists, optometrists and trained eye care professionals.

The screening found that 75 students (50.0%) had vision problems, with 71 students(
47.3%) requiring prescription spectacles. A further 8 students (5.3%) were referred
for further ophthalmic assessment. The findings highlight that nearly 1 in 2 students
screened had myopia requiring vision correction, underscoring the importance of 
regular school-based eye screening and early intervention.

Through the generous support of EssilorLuxottica Malaysia, **200 pairs of prescription
spectacles valued at approximately RM40,000** were provided to eligible students,
helping children with refractive errors see clearly and participate more confidently
both inside and outside the classroom. The programme represented a total community
investment of approximately **RM42,500**.

"Children shouldn’t struggle in school simply because they cannot see clearly," 
said **Tan Chin-Ching, Chief Executive Officer of VISTA Eye Specialist**.

_"We’re seeing children becoming myopic at younger ages than ever before. The encouraging
news is that early detection and appropriate intervention can significantly improve
long-term eye health. By bringing comprehensive eye screening directly into schools,
we’re helping children receive the care they need before vision problems begin affecting
their education, confidence and future opportunities."_

**Mr.** **Wong Kok Yoong, Commercial Head, EssilorLuxottica Malaysia**, said:

_"Good vision plays a vital role in a child’s learning and development, yet many
children continue to struggle simply because they have never had their eyes checked.
Through partnerships like this, we can bring quality eye care directly into the 
community and help children receive the support they need at an early stage._

_At EssilorLuxottica, we believe no child should be held back by poor vision. We’re
proud to work alongside VISTA Eye Specialist, UiTM and SK Jalan U3 to improve awareness
of childhood myopia, encourage regular eye screening and provide prescription spectacles
to children who need them. When healthcare providers, educators and industry work
together, we can make a meaningful difference to children’s lives."_

Beyond comprehensive eye examinations, the programme adopted a holistic approach
to preventive healthcare. In collaboration with Qualitas Health, attendees also 
received basic health screening, PEKA B40 assessments, Health Screening Programme(
HSP) services, dental check-ups, InBody body composition analysis, influenza vaccinations,
as well as scaling and polishing services, encouraging families to take a proactive
approach towards their overall health.

The initiative also strengthened collaboration between healthcare and higher education.
Lecturers and optometry students from UiTM worked alongside VISTA’s ophthalmologists
and optometrists throughout the programme, gaining valuable hands-on clinical experience
while reinforcing the importance of compassionate, community-centred healthcare.

Program Kesihatan Mata Komuniti 2026 demonstrates how collaboration between healthcare
providers, academia, schools and industry can create lasting community impact. By
combining specialist expertise, education and corporate social responsibility, the
initiative extends beyond eye screening—it helps children receive timely care before
preventable vision problems affect their learning and development.

As childhood myopia continues to rise globally, VISTA Eye Specialist remains committed
to expanding community eye screening programmes, increasing public awareness of 
children’s eye health and working alongside partners to make quality eye care more
accessible throughout Malaysia.

**About VISTA Eye Specialist**

Established in 1999, VISTA Eye Specialist is one of Malaysia’s leading eye specialist
groups, providing comprehensive eye care through a nationwide network of specialist
centres.

Its services include cataract surgery, laser vision correction, refractive surgery,
glaucoma management, retinal care, paediatric ophthalmology, dry eye treatment and
myopia management. Recognised by **Newsweek** as one of **Asia’s Top Private Hospitals&
Clinics 2026**, VISTA continues to advance accessible, evidence-based eye care through
clinical excellence, innovation and community engagement.

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  |  This article was produced by Cision PR Newswire, our trusted news partner. The views expressed and the content presented here are solely those of the author and may not fully reflect the opinions of Thailand Business News. |

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**Read the original article :** [Malaysia Faces Rising Childhood Myopia Challenge: VISTA Eye Specialist, EssilorLuxottica, UiTM and SK Jalan U3 Join Forces to Protect Children's Vision ](http://www.prnasia.com/story/archive/4995171_AE95171_0?rand=184833)