Republic Act No.

1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to offer
courses about José Rizal. ... The measure was strongly opposed by the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines due
to the anti-clerical themes in Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo.
Enacted by: Congress of the Philippines
Territorial extent: Philippines
Signed: June 12, 1956

Republic Act No. 1425

June 12, 1956

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL,
PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING
THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of
freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with
special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character;

WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative
and decisive years in school, should be suffused;

WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State, and all
schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of
citizenship; Now, therefore,

SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private: Provided,
That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or
their English translation shall be used as basic texts.

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement and
carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers and
textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations,
including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate
rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written
statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but
not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect
thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.

SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate
number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as
of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for
required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and universities.
The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment
of the school, college or university.

SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects;
cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring
to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country.

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven
of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other person
engaged in any public school.

SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not
otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 12, 1956

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.

Https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/
Who propose the Rizal Law?
This was fought way back in 1956, when Sen. Jose Laurel proposed Senate Bill 438 requiring all schools to teach
about Rizal and his works. The bill also proposed that Rizal's two novels, “Noli” and “Fili,” be made compulsory
reading.

Why we need to study Rizal law?

It is important to study the life of Jose Rizal because of his input towards the independence of Philippines. He chose
to fight for his country through knowledge and the power of letters. ... By studying the lives of heroes such as Rizal,
we are supposed to become more aware of the ideals that our country is founded upon.

Historical Context and Legal Basis of Rizal Day and Other Memorials in honor of Jose Rizal

Posted on September 19, 2012

HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND LEGAL BASIS OF RIZAL DAY AND OTHER MEMORIALS IN HONOR
OF JOSE RIZAL
By: Quennie Ann J. Palafox

For over a century now, the nation has never failed to observe the anniversary of the martyrdom our great national
hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This year, the President will lead the simultaneous raising of Philippine flag at half-mast and
wreath offering at the monument of Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park in Manila, Calamba, Laguna and in Dapitan,
Zamboanga del Norte on December 30, 2010. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan”.

Although frequently at the center of controversies and criticism of the public, the government must be given credits
for its efforts in ensuring that the memory of Rizal stays in our hearts through the issuance of legislative acts, decrees
and other proclamations honoring him.

Two years after the execution of Rizal in Bagumbayan, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo issued on Dec. 20, 1898 a decree
designating Dec. 30 as the anniversary of Jose Rizal’s death and also as “a national day of mourning” for Rizal and
other victims of the Spanish government throughout its three centuries of oppressive rule. He made a directive that all
national flags shall be hoisted at half-mast from 12 noon on Dec. 29 and all offices of the government shall be closed
the whole day on December 30 as a sign of mourning. On December 30, 1898, Filipinos celebrated Rizal Day for the
first time and chose Club Filipino in Manila to be the venue.

The Americans, to win the sympathy of the Filipinos, and to convince them that they were pro-Filipinos more than
the Spaniards, gave Rizal official recognition. This was to make them conform to the new government. Rizal acquired
the official title of title of Philippine National Hero in 1901 under the country’s first American civil governor, William
Howard Taft. On the recommendation of Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, the Taft Commission renamed the district of
Morong into the Province of Rizal through Act 137 on June 11, 1901. This was one of the first official steps taken by
the Taft Commission to honor Rizal. Since then, Jose Rizal came to be known as the National Hero.

It was also during the American times that Rizal’s death anniversary was made an official holiday. On February 1,
1902, the Philippine Commission enacted Act. No. 345 which set December 30 of each year as Rizal Day, and made
it one of the ten official holidays of the Philippines. As the nationalist spirit of the Filipinos was at the highest point
during that time, they were able to convince the government to erect a monument for Rizal. Thus, Act No. 243 was
enacted on September 28, 1901 granting the right to use public land upon the Luneta in the City of Manila upon which
to erect a statue of Jose Rizal.

So important was the observation of Rizal Day that President Quirino approved on June 9, 1948 Republic Act No.
229 which prohibits cockfighting, horse racing and jai-alai every 30th of December of each year, in order to have
proper observance of Rizal Day.

To give ample time to prepare for the birth centenary of Jose Rizal in 1961, the Rizal National Centennial Commission
was created by Executive Order No. 52, issued by Pres. Ramon Magsaysay on August 10, 1954 to undertake the
construction of a National Cultural Shrine and other memorials to be dedicated to Jose Rizal. JRNCC became Rizal
Presidential Committee on 1 July 1962 after President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 14.

Jose Rizal’s vast role in the attainment of the nation’s freedom led to the issuance of Republic Act 1425 on June
12, 1956. Commonly known as the Rizal Act, it was sponsored by Senator Claro M. Recto. It requires the curricula
of private and public schools, colleges and universities courses to include the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal,
particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in order to educate the students about the concept of
nationalism.

A few days before the celebration of the birth centenary of Jose Rizal in 1961, Pres. Garcia issued Executive Order
No. 429 on June 2, creating a decoration intended to perpetuate Rizal’s memory, to be known as the Rizal Pro Patria
Award. It was to be awarded by the President of the Philippines to those who have rendered outstanding work for the
benefit of their community. Among the recipients of this decoration in the past were N. V. M. Gonzalez, Alejandro
Roces, Juan Nakpil, Felipe Padilla De Leon, and Wilfredo Ma. Guerero.

In Manila streets were named with reference to the national hero, Jose Rizal. In Sampaloc, two streets are named
after his pen names, Laong Laan and Dimasalang. Blumentritt, a main thoroughfare, was named after Dr. Ferdinand
Blumentritt, Rizal’s friend, while Dapitan street situated near the University of Santo Tomas was named after a
municipality in Zamboanga del Norte, where Rizal was deported in 1892. Other street names have references to Rizal’s
novels such as Sisa, Basilio, and Simoun.

Rizal monuments are concrete memorials to his legacy. The most prominent is the Rizal monument in Manila,
unveiled on December 30, 1913 in line with the 17th Anniversary of the martyrdom of Jose Rizal. However, the Rizal
monument in the town Daet in Camarines Norte holds the distinction of the first ever erected in honor of Rizal.

In the 1920s, Rizal Day was very popular and a much awaited event with the entire city going to Luneta to spot the
parade of the Rizal Day, a parade as glamorous as the carnival parade of February. In his memorable Rizal Day
address, Pres. Quezon declared through Commonwealth Act No. 184 the adoption of Tagalog as the basis of the
national language of the Philippines on December 30, 1937.
 The Rizal Day celebration of December 30, 1942 required the display of Japanese flags in Filipino homes. Attended
by Jorge Vargas Benigno Aquino, Sr, and Jose P. Laurel, Sr., a Nippongo program on Rizal was held in 1942, during
which the hero’s “Ultimo Adios” was recited in Japanese. This event also witnessed the inauguration of Kalibapi.

Just after the war in 1946, the country saw floral offerings and a civic parade in observance of Rizal Day in 1946.
President Roxas was joined by high officials of the national government and representatives of the United States Army
and Navy and foreign nations who offered wreaths at the foot of Rizal’s monument.

On December 30, 1950, all Philippine flags throughout the island were raised at half-mast in all public buildings and
vessels to commemorate the martyrdom of Rizal. There was also floral offering at the Rizal monument at Luneta and
concert in the afternoon.

A crowd estimated to be from 300-500, 000 persons gathered at the Luneta on December 30, 1953 to attend the
inauguration of Ramon Magsaysay as president of the Republic of the Philippines. The Constitution had made the
Rizal Day event even more memorable having specified the date of the day for the inauguration of President of the
Republic as stipulated in Sec. 4 of Article VII of the 1935 Constitution. However, this was moved to June 30 by virtue
of the 1987 Constitution which is being observed until now.

December 30, 1996 was the centenary of the martyrdom of Rizal. Highlights included the tracing of the last walk
of Rizal from his detention cell at Fort Santiago followed by the reenactment of the hero’s execution and flag raising
at Luneta Park, Manila. A monument of Rizal was also inaugurated on 5 December 1996 along the Avenida de Las
Islas Filipinas in Madrid, Spain.

Rizal Day is a day of appreciating Jose Rizal as a hero, an icon and a perfect example on how to be a Filipino.
To quote the late Sen. Blas Ople, “Jose Rizal remains the supreme hero of the Philippines because of the quality of
his sacrifice, his absolute dedication to the interest of his people, and his achievement in many fields of endeavors”.

Http://nhcp.gov.ph/historical-context-and-legal-basis-of-rizal-day-and-other-memorials-in-honor-of-jose-rizal/
What was the context in which Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere?
The first half of Noli me Tangere was written in Madrid, Spain from 1884-1885 while Dr. José P. Rizal was studying
for medicine. While in Germany, Rizal wrote the second half of Noli me Tangere from time-to-time starting February
21, 1887.

Con·text
/ˈkäntekst/

Learn to pronounce

Noun
Noun: context; plural noun: contexts

1. The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully
understood and assessed.

Autism is a complex neurobehavioral condition that includes impairments in social interaction and developmental
language and communication skills combined with rigid, repetitive behaviors. Because of the range of symptoms,
this condition is now called autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

What Is Autism?
Autism is a complex neurobehavioral condition that includes impairments in social interaction and developmental
language and communication skills combined with rigid, repetitive behaviors. Because of the range of symptoms, this
condition is now called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It covers a large spectrum of symptoms, skills, and levels of
impairment. ASD ranges in severity from a handicap that somewhat limits an otherwise normal life to a devastating
disability that may require institutional care.

Children with autism have trouble communicating. They have trouble understanding what other people think and feel.
This makes it very hard for them to express themselves either with words or through gestures, facial expressions, and
touch.

A child with ASD who is very sensitive may be greatly troubled -- sometimes even pained -- by sounds, touches,
smells, or sights that seem normal to others.

Children who are autistic may have repetitive, stereotyped body movements such as rocking, pacing, or hand flapping.
They may have unusual responses to people, attachments to objects, resistance to change in their routines, or
aggressive or self-injurious behavior. At times they may seem not to notice people, objects, or activities in their
surroundings. Some children with autism may also develop seizures. And in some cases, those seizures may not occur
until adolescence.

Some people with autism are cognitively impaired to a degree. In contrast to more typical cognitive impairment, which
is characterized by relatively even delays in all areas of development, people with autism show uneven skill
development. They may have problems in certain areas, especially the ability to communicate and relate to others. But
they may have unusually developed skills in other areas, such as drawing, creating music, solving math problems, or
memorizing facts. For this reason, they may test higher -- perhaps even in the average or above-average range -- on
nonverbal intelligence tests.

Symptoms of autism typically appears during the first three years of life. Some children show signs from birth. Others
seem to develop normally at first, only to slip suddenly into symptoms when they are 18 to 36 months old. However,
it is now recognized that some individuals may not show symptoms of a communication disorder until demands of
the environment exceed their capabilities. Autism is four times more common in boys than in girls. It knows no racial,
ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle, or educational levels do not affect a child's chance of being
autistic.

Autism is said to be increasing; however, it is not entirely clear whether the increase is related to changes in how it is
diagnosed or whether it is a true increase in the incidence of the disease.

Autism is just one syndrome that now falls under the heading of autism spectrum disorders. Previous disorders that
are now classified under the umbrella diagnosis of ASD or a social communication disorder include:

 Autistic disorder. This is what most people think of when they hear the word "autism." It refers to problems
with social interactions, communication, and imaginative play in children younger than 3 years.
 Asperger's syndrome. These children don't have a problem with language -- in fact, they tend to score in
the average or above-average range on intelligence tests. But they have the same social problems and limited
scope of interests as children with autistic disorder.
 Pervasive developmental disorder or PDD -- also known as atypical autism. This is a kind of catch-all
category for children who have some autistic behaviors but who don't fit into other categories.
 Childhood disintegrative disorder. These children develop normally for at least two years and then lose
some or most of their communication and social skills. This is an extremely rare disorder and its existence as
a separate condition is a matter of debate among many mental health professionals.

Rett syndrome previously fell under ASD spectrum but it is now confirmed that Rett’s cause is genetic. It no longer
falls under ASD guidelines. Children with Rett syndrome, primarily girls, start developing normally but then begin
losing their communication and social skills. Beginning at the age of 1 to 4 years, repetitive hand movements replace
purposeful use of the hands. Children with Rett syndrome are usually severely cognitively impaired.
What Causes Autism?

Because autism runs in families, most researchers think that certain combinations of genes may predispose a child to
autism. But there are risk factors that increase the chance of having a child with autism.

When a pregnant woman is exposed to certain drugs or chemicals, her child is more likely to be autistic. These risk
factors include the use of alcohol, maternal metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity, and the use of
antiseizure drugs during pregnancy. In some cases, autism has been linked to untreated phenylketonuria (called PKU,
an inborn metabolic disorder caused by the absence of an enzyme) and rubella (German measles).

Although sometimes cited as a cause of autism, there is no evidence that vaccinations cause autism

Understanding the Themes of the Filipino Novel “Noli Me Tangere”

Literature Study Guides and Chapter Summaries / By Celine Bernadette Francisco / Homework Help & Study Guides

Freedom From Spain

"Noli Me Tangere," the first novel written by the Philippine’s national hero Jose Rizal, mirrors its creator’s persistence
in attaining freedom from the Spaniards. True enough, as Rizal aimed to redeem the country and its people by exposing
the barbarity, greed, cruelty and ignorance of the Spanish colonizers, his work reflected the struggles of the Tagalogs
— being the first to project such a bold account of living in the 1800s in the Philippines. Likewise, as "Noli Me
Tangere" portrays the different aspects of gaining independence, Jose Rizal focuses on social climbers, abusive power,
family devotion, self sacrifice, and purity and faithfulness.

Social Climbers

Representing the various classes of society during the late 1800s in the Philippines, Jose Rizal includes personalities
such as Doña Victorina and Capitan Tiago. These characters, indeed, show how people tend to associate with higher
classes of society, specifically the Spaniards and the illustrados (“learned" ones) and mestizos. Capitan Tiago, in this
instance, portrays this character as he gives friars lumps of money as ecclesiastical donations and even invites the
parish curate at his home every dinner. Aside from that, he also supports the government’s tax increases, leading to
his title of gobernadorcillo, the highest post a non-Spaniard can attain.

Understanding the Themes of the Filipino Novel “Noli Me Tangere”

Literature Study Guides and Chapter Summaries / By Celine Bernadette Francisco / Homework Help & Study Guides

Freedom From Spain

"Noli Me Tangere," the first novel written by the Philippine’s national hero Jose Rizal, mirrors its creator’s persistence
in attaining freedom from the Spaniards. True enough, as Rizal aimed to redeem the country and its people by exposing
the barbarity, greed, cruelty and ignorance of the Spanish colonizers, his work reflected the struggles of the Tagalogs
— being the first to project such a bold account of living in the 1800s in the Philippines. Likewise, as "Noli Me
Tangere" portrays the different aspects of gaining independence, Jose Rizal focuses on social climbers, abusive power,
family devotion, self sacrifice, and purity and faithfulness.

Social Climbers

Representing the various classes of society during the late 1800s in the Philippines, Jose Rizal includes personalities
such as Doña Victorina and Capitan Tiago. These characters, indeed, show how people tend to associate with higher
classes of society, specifically the Spaniards and the illustrados (“learned" ones) and mestizos. Capitan Tiago, in this
instance, portrays this character as he gives friars lumps of money as ecclesiastical donations and even invites the
parish curate at his home every dinner. Aside from that, he also supports the government’s tax increases, leading to
his title of gobernadorcillo, the highest post a non-Spaniard can attain.

Meanwhile, Doña Victorina’s character in the novel shows an obsession in becoming Spanish. She does this by
covering her face with too much makeup, dressing just like Spanish women, speaking Spanish (though incorrectly),
and basically promotes the “colonial mentality" as she prefers being just like a Spaniard when in fact she is a Filipino.

Abusive Power

Having been colonized by Spaniards since the 1500s, the author depicts the Filipinos suffering abuse from civil guards,
friars and other government officials. Using their power to mistreat civilians, the civil guards harass them because of
simple causes, such as not rendering the customary salute, not being able to show identification cards, etc. The same
goes with friars who commercialize religion through simony and plenary indulgence. Government officials, likewise,
make use of their power to control those whom they believe would be detrimental to the Spanish rule. Just as
Crisostomo Ibarra, the main character in the novel, experiences this through the death of his father (Don Rafael), this
theme in "Noli Me Tangere" comes to life.

Understanding the Themes of the Filipino Novel “Noli Me Tangere”

Literature Study Guides and Chapter Summaries / By Celine Bernadette Francisco / Homework Help & Study Guides

Freedom From Spain

"Noli Me Tangere," the first novel written by the Philippine’s national hero Jose Rizal, mirrors its creator’s persistence
in attaining freedom from the Spaniards. True enough, as Rizal aimed to redeem the country and its people by exposing
the barbarity, greed, cruelty and ignorance of the Spanish colonizers, his work reflected the struggles of the Tagalogs
— being the first to project such a bold account of living in the 1800s in the Philippines. Likewise, as "Noli Me
Tangere" portrays the different aspects of gaining independence, Jose Rizal focuses on social climbers, abusive power,
family devotion, self sacrifice, and purity and faithfulness.

Social Climbers

Representing the various classes of society during the late 1800s in the Philippines, Jose Rizal includes personalities
such as Doña Victorina and Capitan Tiago. These characters, indeed, show how people tend to associate with higher
classes of society, specifically the Spaniards and the illustrados (“learned" ones) and mestizos. Capitan Tiago, in this
instance, portrays this character as he gives friars lumps of money as ecclesiastical donations and even invites the
parish curate at his home every dinner. Aside from that, he also supports the government’s tax increases, leading to
his title of gobernadorcillo, the highest post a non-Spaniard can attain.

Meanwhile, Doña Victorina’s character in the novel shows an obsession in becoming Spanish. She does this by
covering her face with too much makeup, dressing just like Spanish women, speaking Spanish (though incorrectly),
and basically promotes the “colonial mentality" as she prefers being just like a Spaniard when in fact she is a Filipino.

Abusive Power

Having been colonized by Spaniards since the 1500s, the author depicts the Filipinos suffering abuse from civil guards,
friars and other government officials. Using their power to mistreat civilians, the civil guards harass them because of
simple causes, such as not rendering the customary salute, not being able to show identification cards, etc. The same
goes with friars who commercialize religion through simony and plenary indulgence. Government officials, likewise,
make use of their power to control those whom they believe would be detrimental to the Spanish rule. Just as
Crisostomo Ibarra, the main character in the novel, experiences this through the death of his father (Don Rafael), this
theme in "Noli Me Tangere" comes to life.
Family Devotion

Never forgetting the positive qualities of the Filipinos, Jose Rizal still highlights devotion to one’s family through
Crisostomo Ibarra, Maria Clara and Sisa. With the death of Don Rafael, Ibarra’s father, Crisostomo traces all means
to seek for justice. This is also true with Maria Clara, an obedient daughter to Capitan Tiago. Consenting to her father’s
request that she marry a Spaniard (as requested by Padre Damaso), Maria Clara adheres to this (but gets very ill
afterward). Sisa, on the other hand, definitely shows her devotion to her family by doing everything to serve her
family. Considering her children (Basilio and Crispin) as her treasures, she endures the trials she goes through just to
keep them secure.

Self Sacrifice

Just as Jose Rizal sacrificed himself for his country, "Noli Me Tangere" also conveys this message all throughout its
text. Starting off with Sisa’s never-ending sacrifices for her children, she withstands her husband’s beatings and even
takes on the journey of finding her sons, thereby showing her real love as a mother.

Purity and Faithfulness

Maria Clara portrays purity and faithfulness as she remains true to her love for Crisostomo Ibarra. Even though she is
engaged to a Spaniard, she still does not submit herself to him because of her undying love for Ibarra. Thus, she prefers
to become a nun and hence dies afterward when Padre Salvi rapes her.

Patriotism

Another very evident theme in the novel turns out to be patriotism. Portrayed by Crisostomo Ibarra and Elias, these
two men earnestly desire for independence from the oppressors. Although different in their means for seeking reform,
they both profess their goals.

Since Elias resolves for a revolt against the Spaniards, he finds all means to lead a revolution against the friars, civil
guards and government officials. Believing that God will bring forth justice over Filipinos depicts patriotism by all
means.

All in all, "Noli Me Tangere" shall forever remain as one of the most powerful tools the Philippines has ever had to
spread awareness on the “social cancer" and to fight for independence. As Jose Rizal used various themes to spread
the word regarding the battle against abusive power, injustice, false religious claims and other inappropriate dealings
with innocent people, the cause Rizal started more than a hundred years ago shall endure.

References

Gagelonia, Pedro A. Rizal's Life, Works, and Writings. National Bookstore, Inc., 1974.

Https://www.brighthubeducation.com/homework-help-literature/122053-themes-and-historical-value-in-the-book-
noli-me-tangere/

About Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)In more than a century since its appearance, José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere has
become widely known as the great novel of the Philippines. A passionate love story set against the ugly political
backdrop of repression, torture, and murder, “The Noli,” as it is called in the Philippines, was the first major artistic
manifestation of Asian resistance to European colonialism, and Rizal became a guiding conscience—and martyr—for
the revolution that would subsequently rise up in the Spanish province.

Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)

Https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/291131/noli-me-tangere-touch-me-not-by-jose-rizal/9780143039693/

The Social Cancer

Alternative Title: “Noli me tangere”

The Social Cancer, original title Noli me tangere, novel by Filipino political activist and author José Rizal, published
in 1887. The book, written in Spanish, is a sweeping and passionate unmasking of the brutality and corruption of
Spanish rule in the Philippines (1565–1898).

The story begins at a party to welcome Crisóstomo Ibarra back to the Philippines after seven years of studying in
Europe. His father, Don Rafael, passed away shortly before his return, and Crisóstomo soon learns that he died in
prison after accidentally killing a tax collector and being falsely accused of other crimes by Father Dámaso, the
longtime curate of the church in Crisóstomo’s hometown of San Diego. Crisóstomo returns to San Diego, and his
fiancée, María Clara, joins him there. After the schoolmaster tells him that Father Dámaso and the new curate, Father
Salví, interfere with his teaching, Crisóstomo decides to build a new modern school in San Diego.

On a picnic with María Clara, Crisóstomo goes on a fishing boat and helps the pilot, Elías, kill a crocodile. Elías later
warns Crisóstomo that there is a plot to murder him at the ceremony for the laying of the school’s cornerstone, and
indeed, as Crisóstomo is placing mortar for the cornerstone, the derrick holding the stone collapses. Although
Crisóstomo escapes injury, the derrick operator is killed. At a dinner later, Father Dámaso insults the new school,
Filipinos in general, Crisóstomo, and Don Rafael. An enraged Crisóstomo attacks him, but María Clara stops him
from killing the priest. Later her father breaks off her engagement to Crisóstomo and arranges for her betrothal to a
young Spanish man, Linares.

Father Salví plots with Lucas, the brother of the deceased derrick operator, to organize a strike on the barracks of
the Civil Guard and to convince the attackers that Crisóstomo is their ringleader. Father Salví then warns the head
of the Civil Guard of the impending assault. When the attack fails, the rebels say that Crisóstomo was their leader,
and he is arrested. Elías helps Crisóstomo escape from prison, and they flee by boat on the Pasig River with members
of the Civil Guard in pursuit. Elías dives into the river to distract the pursuers and is mortally wounded. It is reported
that Crisóstomo was killed, and a distraught María Clara insists on entering a convent.

In the novel’s dedication, Rizal explains that there was once a type of cancer so terrible that the sufferer could not
bear to be touched, and the disease was thus called noli me tangere (Latin: “do not touch me”). He believed that his
homeland was similarly afflicted. The novel offers both a panoramic view of every level of society in the Philippines
of the time and droll satire. Its description of the cruelty of Spanish rule was a catalyst for the movement for
independence in the country. It later came to be regarded as a classic of Philippine literature, though it is more
frequently read in English or Tagalog translation than in its original Spanish.

Https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Social-Cancer

Adjective
Adjective: deaf; comparative adjective: deafer; superlative adjective: deafest

1. Lacking the power of hearing or having impaired hearing.

Deafness and hearing loss

Key facts

 Around 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss (1), and 34 million of these are children.
 It is estimated that by 2050 over 900 million people will have disabling hearing loss.
  Hearing loss may result from genetic causes, complications at birth, certain infectious diseases, chronic ear
infections, the use of particular drugs, exposure to excessive noise, and ageing.
 60% of childhood hearing loss is due to preventable causes.
 1.1 billion young people (aged between 12–35 years) are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to noise in
recreational settings.
 Unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual global cost of US$ 750 billion. Interventions to prevent, identify
and address hearing loss are cost-effective and can bring great benefit to individuals.
 People with hearing loss benefit from early identification; use of hearing aids, cochlear implants and other
assistive devices; captioning and sign language; and other forms of educational and social support.

Over 5% of the world’s population – or 466 million people – has disabling hearing loss (432 million adults and 34
million children). It is estimated that by 2050 over 900 million people – or one in every ten people – will have disabling
hearing loss.

Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 40 decibels (db) in the better hearing ear in adults and a
hearing loss greater than 30 db in the better hearing ear in children. The majority of people with disabling hearing
loss live in low- and middle-income countries.

Approximately one third of people over 65 years of age are affected by disabling hearing loss. The prevalence in this
age group is greatest in South Asia, Asia Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa.

Hearing loss and deafness

A person who is not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing – hearing thresholds of 25 db or better in
both ears – is said to have hearing loss. Hearing loss may be mild, moderate, severe, or profound. It can affect one ear
or both ears, and leads to difficulty in hearing conversational speech or loud sounds.

'Hard of hearing' refers to people with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe. People who are hard of hearing usually
communicate through spoken language and can benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive
devices as well as captioning. People with more significant hearing losses may benefit from cochlear implants.

'Deaf' people mostly have profound hearing loss, which implies very little or no hearing. They often use sign language
for communication.

Causes of hearing loss and deafness

The causes of hearing loss and deafness can be congenital or acquired.

Congenital causes

Congenital causes may lead to hearing loss being present at or acquired soon after birth. Hearing loss can be caused
by hereditary and non-hereditary genetic factors or by certain complications during pregnancy and childbirth,
including:

 Maternal rubella, syphilis or certain other infections during pregnancy;

 Low birth weight;
 Birth asphyxia (a lack of oxygen at the time of birth);
 Inappropriate use of particular drugs during pregnancy, such as aminoglycosides, cytotoxic drugs,
antimalarial drugs, and diuretics;
 Severe jaundice in the neonatal period, which can damage the hearing nerve in a newborn infant.
Acquired causes

Acquired causes may lead to hearing loss at any age, such as:

 Infectious diseases including meningitis, measles and mumps;

 Chronic ear infections;
 Collection of fluid in the ear (otitis media);
 Use of certain medicines, such as those used in the treatment of neonatal infections, malaria, drug-resistant
tuberculosis, and cancers;
 Injury to the head or ear;
 Excessive noise, including occupational noise such as that from machinery and explosions;
 Recreational exposure to loud sounds such as that from use of personal audio devices at high volumes and
for prolonged periods of time and regular attendance at concerts, nightclubs, bars and sporting events;
 Ageing, in particular due to degeneration of sensory cells; and
 Wax or foreign bodies blocking the ear canal.

Among children, chronic otitis media is a common cause of hearing loss.

Impact of hearing loss

Functional impact

One of the main impacts of hearing loss is on the individual’s ability to communicate with others. Spoken language
development is often delayed in children with unaddressed hearing loss.

Unaddressed hearing loss and ear diseases such as otitis media can have a significantly adverse effect on the academic
performance of children. They often have increased rates of grade failure and greater need for education assistance.
Access to suitable accommodations is important for optimal learning experiences but are not always available.

Social and emotional impact

Exclusion from communication can have a significant impact on everyday life, causing feelings of loneliness,
isolation, and frustration, particularly among older people with hearing loss.

Economic impact

WHO estimates that unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual global cost of US$ 750 billion. This includes health
sector costs (excluding the cost of hearing devices), costs of educational support, loss of productivity, and societal
costs.

In developing countries, children with hearing loss and deafness rarely receive any schooling. Adults with hearing
loss also have a much higher unemployment rate. Among those who are employed, a higher percentage of people with
hearing loss are in the lower grades of employment compared with the general workforce.

Improving access to education and vocational rehabilitation services, and raising awareness especially among
employers about the needs of people with hearing loss, will decrease unemployment rates for people with hearing
loss.

Prevention

Overall, it is suggested that half of all cases of hearing loss can be prevented through public health measures.
In children under 15 years of age, 60% of hearing loss is attributable to preventable causes. This figure is higher in
low- and middle-income countries (75%) as compared to high-income countries (49%). Overall, preventable causes
of childhood hearing loss include:

 Infections such as mumps, measles, rubella, meningitis, cytomegalovirus infections, and chronic otitis
media (31%).
 Complications at the time of birth, such as birth asphyxia, low birth weight, prematurity, and jaundice (17%).
 Use of ototoxic medicines in expecting mothers and babies (4%).
 Others (8%)

Some simple strategies for prevention of hearing loss include:

 Immunizing children against childhood diseases, including measles, meningitis, rubella and mumps;
 Immunizing adolescent girls and women of reproductive age against rubella before pregnancy;
 Preventing cytomegalovirus infections in expectant mothers through good hygiene; screening for and
treating syphilis and other infections in pregnant women;
 Strengthening maternal and child health programmes, including promotion of safe childbirth;
 Following healthy ear care practices;
 Reducing exposure (both occupational and recreational) to loud sounds by raising awareness about the
risks; developing and enforcing relevant legislation; and encouraging individuals to use personal protective
devices such as earplugs and noise-cancelling earphones and headphones.
 Screening of children for otitis media, followed by appropriate medical or surgical interventions;
 Avoiding the use of particular drugs which may be harmful to hearing, unless prescribed and monitored by
a qualified physician;
 Referring infants at high risk, such as those with a family history of deafness or those born with low birth
weight, birth asphyxia, jaundice or meningitis, for early assessment of hearing, to ensure prompt diagnosis
and appropriate management, as required;
 Implementing the WHO-ITU global standard for personal audio systems and devices. This can be done by
governments and manufacturers of smartphones and MP3 players. If adhered to, the standard could help
prevent hearing loss due to listening practices that are harmful to hearing; and
 Educating young people and population in general on hearing loss, its causes, prevention and identification.

Identification and management

Early detection and intervention are crucial to minimizing the impact of hearing loss on a child’s development and
educational achievements. In infants and young children with hearing loss, early identification and management
through infant hearing screening programmes can improve the linguistic and educational outcomes for the child.
Children with deafness should be given the opportunity to learn sign language along with their families.

Pre-school, school and occupational screening for ear diseases and hearing loss is an effective tool for early
identification and management of hearing loss.
Screening can be done using the hearwho app. This app can be downloaded and used by adults to check and track
their hearing regularly. It can also be used by health workers to screen people in the community with a view to referring
them for hearing testing, when indicated.

People with hearing loss can benefit from the use of hearing devices, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and
other assistive devices. They may also benefit from speech therapy, aural rehabilitation and other related services.
However, global production of hearing aids meets less than 10% of global need and less than 3% of developing
countries’ needs. The lack of availability of services for fitting and maintaining these devices, and the lack of batteries
are also barriers in many low-income settings.
Making properly-fitted, affordable hearing aids and cochlear implants and providing accessible follow-up services in
all parts of the world will benefit many people with hearing loss.

People who develop hearing loss can learn to communicate through development of lip-reading skills, use of written
or printed text, and sign language. Teaching in sign language will benefit children with hearing loss, while provision
of captioning and sign language interpretation on television will facilitate access to information.

Officially recognizing national sign languages and increasing the availability of sign language interpreters are
important actions to improve access to sign language services. Encouraging organizations of people with hearing loss,
parents and family support groups; and strengthening human rights legislation can also help ensure better inclusion
for people with hearing loss.

WHO response

WHO assists Members States in developing programmes for ear and hearing care that are integrated into the primary
health-care system of the country. WHO’s work includes:

 Providing technical support to Member States in development and implementation of national plans for
hearing care;
 Providing technical resources and guidance for training of health-care workers on hearing care;
 Developing and disseminating recommendations to address the major preventable causes of hearing loss;
 Undertaking advocacy to raise awareness about the prevalence, causes and impact of hearing loss as well
as opportunities for prevention, identification and management;
 Developing and disseminating evidence-based tools for effective advocacy;
 Observing and promoting World Hearing Day as an annual advocacy event;
 Building partnerships to develop strong hearing care programmes, including initiatives for affordable
hearing aids, cochlear implants and services;
 Collating data on deafness and hearing loss to demonstrate the scale and the impact of the problem;
 Launching and promoting the WHO-ITU global standard for personal audio systems and devices;
 Promoting safe listening to reduce the risk of recreational noise-induced hearing loss through the WHO
Make Listening Safe initiative;
 Raising awareness on safe listening to reduce the risk of recreational noise-induced hearing loss through
the WHO Make Listening Safe initiative;
 Promoting social inclusion of people with disabilities, including people with hearing loss and deafness, for
example, through community-based rehabilitation networks and programmes.
 In 2017, the 70th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution on the prevention of deafness and hearing
loss. This resolution calls upon Member States to integrate strategies for ear and hearing care within the
framework of their primary health care systems, under the umbrella of universal health coverage. It also
requests WHO to undertake a number of actions for promotion of ear and hearing care at global level,
including many of those noted above.

(1) Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 40db in the better hearing ear in adults and a hearing loss
greater than 30db in the better hearing ear in children.

Https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss

Prevention of blindness and deafness

 PBD home
  Deafness
 Documents & publications

Facts about deafness

In this site, deafness means complete loss of the ability to hear from one or both ears; this is profound hearing
impairment, 81 db or greater hearing threshold, averaged at frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, 4 khz.

Hearing impairment means complete or partial loss of the ability to hear from one or both ears; this is mild or worse
hearing impairment, 26 db or greater hearing threshold, averaged at frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, 4 khz.

Disabling hearing impairment means moderate or worse hearing impairment in the better ear; that is the permanent
unaided hearing threshold level for the better ear of 41 or 31 db or greater in age over 14 or under 15 years respectively,
averaged at frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, 4 khz.

A schoolgirl in Africa does not answer the teacher’s question. She may have hearing impairment.

 Grades of hearing impairment

Size of the problem (WHO estimates 2002)

 250 million people in the world have disabling hearing impairment (moderate or worse hearing impairment
in the better ear, see: Grades of hearing impairment)
 Two-thirds of these people live in developing countries.
 Half of deafness and hearing impairment is avoidable.
 Adult-onset hearing loss ranks 15th amongst the leading causes of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), and
2nd in the leading causes of Years Lived with a Disability (YLD).

Effects of deafness and hearing impairment on individuals and society

 Damage to the development of speech, language and cognitive skills in children especially if commencing
at birth or during infancy.
 Slow progress in school.
 Difficulties in obtaining, performing and keeping an occupation.
 Social isolation and stigmatization in all ages and both sexes.
 Profound social and economic effects in communities and countries.
 A teenage girl in Asia has been deaf since birth. Her father brings her to a mobile ear clinic for the first time
in her life.

These difficulties are magnified in developing countries, where there are generally very few services or trained staff
to deal with them.

Gaps and needs

 Awareness is often lacking about hearing and hearing loss in society, including amongst decision makers,
health workers, teachers and parents.
 National plans and programmes for prevention and rehabilitation of hearing loss are lacking in most
developing countries.
 Primary ear and hearing Care (PEHC) programmes have not been implemented in most developing
countries.
 Secondary and tertiary care programmes need developing or strengthening in most developing countries.
  Coordinated programmes to provide affordable hearing aids and services need to be set up in developing
countries.
 Many more health and rehabilitation personnel need to be trained in ear and hearing care at the primary
and secondary levels and for specialist care in developing countries

Future challenges
Ear examination

 Numbers and prevalence of persons with deafness and hearing impairment are rising because of increasing
world population and lengthening life expectancy.
 More information is needed to measure the size of these problems and determine their individual, social,
and economic effects.
 Decisive public health action is needed to reverse these increases, especially in developing countries.

Https://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/facts/en/

Worldwide, 36 million people are blind, but 75 per cent of this sight loss can be cured or prevented.

We protect sight by providing eye operations for people who need them, and training eye care workers and surgeons
to provide sight-saving treatment.

Through community volunteers, we also distribute medication to protect people from blinding diseases in some of the
world’s poorest countries.

Cataracts are often thought to only affect older people, but in developing countries they are a huge problem for
children too.

Cataracts can be present from birth, or may develop as a result of eye injuries or following eye surgery for other
problems.

Although cataracts are not difficult to treat, it’s vital for children that the condition is caught in time or it can cause
the eye to stop developing, meaning sight can never be properly restored.

12 million
People are blind because of cataracts
355,000
Cataract operations were supported by Sightsavers in 2018
£28
Can pay for an adult cataract operation
1,780.93 Philippine peso

Https://www.sightsavers.org/protecting-sight/what-are-cataracts/

We aim to make it easier for people to be treated for cataracts, especially in poorer areas of developing countries,
where surgery is not always readily available.

We also want to improve the quality of cataract surgery and increase the number of operations that are able to be
performed.

To achieve this, we’re working to strengthen community health programmes and increase the number of surgeons,
nurses and community workers trained in eye health, as well as educating local people about the condition and
explaining where to get treatment.
In 2018, Sightsavers supported more than 355,000 cataract operations around the world. Since our work began in
1950, we have supported 7.3 million cataract operations, and trained more than 1,000 surgeons to perform the
operations.

We need your help to save the sight of people with cataracts. An eye examination to screen someone for a range of
eye conditions costs less than a cup of coffee, and could be the first step towards restoring their vision.

What is refractive error?

Refractive errors are eye disorders caused by irregularity in the shape of the eye. This makes it difficult for the eyes
to focus images clearly, and vision can become blurred and impaired.
Refractive errors include eye problems such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) and
astigmatism (caused by an irregularly curved cornea).

They also include presbyopia, a normal ageing change, where the eye is no longer able to focus at close range.

These eye disorders can be particularly problematic in developing countries, where those affected may not be able to
afford sight tests or spectacles to help improve their vision. What’s more, those living in rural areas may not have
access to eye care – in sub-Saharan Africa, for example, two-thirds of ophthalmologists and optometrists are based in
capital cities, leaving a shortage of trained eye care professionals working in rural areas.

42%

Of all visual impairment is caused by refractive error

124 million

People have uncorrected refractive errors

517 million

People cannot see close-up because of normal ageing

How is refractive error treated?

Eye test

The patient is given an eye test to find out how badly their vision is affected.

Diagnosis

During the test, they're asked to read letters or symbols from a chart.

Correction

If they have refractive error, it can then be corrected with spectacles.

What we’re doing

Since 2004, Sightsavers has dispensed almost three million pairs of spectacles across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean
as part of our work in universal health care.

We have also helped to train 732 optometrists and 433 optometric technicians, who are able to carry out sight tests,
diagnose eye problems and help to treat people with low vision in some of the poorest parts of the world, who may
otherwise not have access to eye healthcare.
Sightsavers’ School Health Integrated Programming (SHIP) project, which ran throughout 2016, screened
schoolchildren in Cambodia, Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal for health problems such as poor vision.

As part of the project, teachers were trained to carry out basic eye tests and refer children for further treatment. During
the project, 57,400 children were screened for eye problems and 1,000 were given spectacles.

Https://www.sightsavers.org/protecting-sight/what-is-refractive-error/

What is trachoma?

Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, and is part of a group of conditions known as neglected
tropical diseases (often referred to as ntds).
Trachoma starts off as a bacterial infection that’s a bit like conjunctivitis, and can be easily treated.

But if it’s not, over time it causes scarring to the eyelid that makes the eyelashes turn inward, so with every blink they
scrape against the eye.

The disease thrives where there are water shortages, poor sanitation and infestations of flies. The pain is so intense
that many people resort to pulling out their eyelashes to reduce the agony of blinking. Over time, if it’s not treated,
trachoma can lead to blindness.

Trachoma infections spread through contact with infected flies and via hands, clothes or bedding; because of this, it
disproportionately affects women and children: women are also up to four times more likely than men to be blinded
by trachoma.

The agony and disability of trachoma can lead to a cycle of poverty, limiting many people’s access to health services,
education and employment.

In April 2018, Sightsavers CEO Caroline Harper gave a TED Talk about trachoma, explaining how we aim to
eliminate the disease.

44

Countries count trachoma as a public health problem

142 million

People are at risk of going blind from trachoma

1.9 million

People are blind or visually impaired because of the disease

How is trachoma treated?

Antibiotics

Zithromax® tablets, donated by pharmaceutical company Pfizer, are used to treat the trachoma infection. Treatment
is usually repeated annually for up to five years.
Surgery

Trachoma can cause the eyelashes to turn inwards. In advanced cases, an operation stops the eyelashes rubbing against
the eyeball, and can stop people from going blind.

Cleanliness and hygiene

Communities are encouraged to change behaviour that can put them at risk of contracting trachoma, and are taught
about the importance of face washing, hygiene and sanitation.

What we’re doing

Our aim is to eliminate trachoma in the countries where we work, and this goal is now closer than ever: in June 2018,
Ghana became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate the disease for good.

Yet there are still 44 countries that count trachoma as a public health problem. In April 2018, Sightsavers CEO
Caroline Harper pitched an ambitious plan to eliminate the disease during her talk at the TED conference in
Vancouver.

We help to control the impact and spread of trachoma by implementing the World Health Organization’s SAFE
strategy: the acronym describes the four methods used to control the disease.

 Surgery: to stop eyelashes from rubbing against the eyeball and helping to halt the cycle of repeated
infection that can lead to blindness.
 Antibiotics: Azithromycin medication is used to treat the trachoma infection and reduce the spread of the
disease. The treatment is usually repeated annually for three or more years.
 Facial cleanliness: teaching local communities the importance of face washing, and encouraging good
hygiene to prevent the infection being spread through contact with an infected person’s eyes or nose, or
via flies.
 Environmental improvements: to improve access to water and sanitation to reduce exposure and re-
infection, and eliminate conditions in which flies breed.
 Https://www.sightsavers.org/protecting-sight/ntds/what-is-trachoma/

What is river blindness?

River blindness, or onchocerciasis, is a parasitic infection spread by flies that live near fast-flowing rivers. It causes
severe skin irritation, itching and, eventually, irreversible blindness.
River blindness is spread by the bite of infected flies that breed near fast-flowing rivers.

The disease’s connection to rivers gave rise to the term ‘river blindness’, which was coined by Lady Jean Wilson,
wife of Sightsavers’ founder Sir John Wilson. It is one of a group of conditions known as neglected tropical diseases
(ntds).

When someone is bitten by the flies, worm larvae invade the body through the bite. These larvae develop into worms
that can live for 15 years. Female worms produce thousands of microscopic larvae, known as ‘microfilariae’, each
day, which spread through the body and can be passed on to others. When the microfilariae die, they cause a reaction
in the body, leading to immense irritation, inflammation and itching. If the larvae travel to the eyes and cause a
reaction, irreversible eyesight damage and sight loss can occur.

As well as pain, blindness and the associated stigma, one of the devastating outcomes of river blindness is that people
are forced to move away from fertile river valleys where the disease is prevalent. As a result, people can struggle to
find suitable areas to farm or grow crops, pushing families and communities into poverty.
205 million

People worldwide are at risk of contracting river blindness

20.9 million

People are infected. Most live in sub-Saharan Africa

1.1 million

People worldwide are blind because of the disease

How is river blindness treated?

Medication

Mectizan® tablets can prevent the disease spreading. They don't cure blindness, but can help to stop any further sight
loss.

Volunteers

Mectizan®, donated by Merck Sharpe & Dohme, is distributed via local volunteers known as community-directed
distributors.

Fly-catching

River blindness is also addressed by eradicating the flies that carry the disease, a process that is known as vector
control.

What we’re doing

Sightsavers is working to eliminate river blindness in the countries in which we work by 2025.

Traditionally, river blindness and lymphatic filariasis have been treated through individual programmes. But because
they are often detected in the same areas and can both be treated with Mectizan® tablets, Sightsavers treats both of
the diseases together.

In 2018, Sightsavers helped to distribute more than 40 million treatments for river blindness. Since our work began
65 years ago, we’ve provided more than 478 million treatments worldwide to protect eyesight.

As part of our push to eliminate river blindness, in November 2017 we achieved a historic milestone: distributing the
one billionth treatment to people affected by neglected tropical diseases. The billionth treatment, an antibiotic for river
blindness and lymphatic filariasis, was administered to a seven-year-old girl named Dorcas, who was at risk of ntds in
a community in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Evans’s story

Evans Anim lives in the Ashanti region in southern Ghana, an area once plagued by river blindness. This parasitic
disease is spread by flies, causing severe itching and skin irritation, and can eventually lead to blindness.

Luckily, it can be treated with Mectizan® medication. When taken regularly, it stops the infection spreading and
ensures children like Evans can grow up without suffering like his father, Kwaku, did.

Kwaku recalls what life was like before Mectizan® was available. “When I was younger, I lived with illness for a
long time,” he explains. “The itching stopped me working: I kept stopping to scratch my skin. It kept me awake at
night, and when I had to bathe the cold water hurt so badly sometimes I couldn’t wash. The scratching damages your
skin, making it sore and hard.” Yet the itching wasn’t the only danger. “I know people who were completely blind
because of the disease,” Kwaku explains.

Eventually, Kwaku heard about a Sightsavers programme to combat river blindness by training local volunteers to
distribute Mectizan® in the community.“After I took the treatments for the first time, I felt good and my skin got
better,” he says. “The flies are still here, but this is our home. If the treatment stopped, we would have to leave as it
wouldn’t be safe for my family.

“Before the drug I was fearful and scared of going blind. Now I know I don’t have to be afraid. My children, they are
young. Because of the treatments, they will grow up without blindness.”

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is caused when pressure builds up inside the eye, damaging the optic nerve that connects the eye to the
brain. If it’s not treated in time, it can cause irreversible blindness.
It’s thought that 4.5 million people across the globe are blind because of glaucoma, making it the third highest cause
of blindness worldwide.

The condition can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms don’t appear straight away – instead, they develop slowly
over many years. This means many patients only seek treatment when they notice they’re losing their sight, when
significant damage has already occurred.

Glaucoma is a group of conditions caused by normal fluid in the eye that hasn’t drained properly. This creates pressure
that damages the optic nerve connecting the eye to the brain, resulting in sight loss. Although it’s not clear exactly
why this happens, factors such as age, family history, racial background and other medical conditions such as diabetes
and short-sightedness can increase the risk. It can affect people of all ages, but it’s most common in adults.

There are different types of glaucoma, and treatment will depend on the type a patient has. Glaucoma can’t be cured,
and vision that has already been lost cannot be restored. But further sight loss can be prevented via medication or
surgery. Each glaucoma patient requires lifelong management for best results.

How is glaucoma treated?

Eye drops

The most common type of glaucoma is usually treated with eye drops that reduce the pressure in the eye. This treatment
will need to be continued throughout the person’s life.

Surgery

Laser treatment or surgery can correct the problem that initially caused the fluid build-up. Laser treatment is fairly
straightforward and usually takes about 15 minutes.

What we’re doing

Sightsavers treats and prevents eye conditions including glaucoma in the countries where we work.

Yet the challenge is that patients often don’t seek treatment for glaucoma until it is too late to save their sight. This is
why we are working with partners in Africa to introduce pilot programmes to prevent and treat glaucoma.

Our aim is to make sure glaucoma is diagnosed and treated as part of local eye health services, to ensure patients’
sight can be saved. Learn more about what we do.
Https://www.sightsavers.org/protecting-sight/what-is-glaucoma/

What is diabetic retinopathy?

This eye disease is caused by high blood sugar and high blood pressure: over time, this can damage the blood vessels
in the back of the eye.
One in three people living with diabetes has some degree of diabetic retinopathy, and every person who has diabetes
is at risk of developing it.

The disease usually affects both eyes, though one can be affected more than the other, and is caused when a patient’s
blood pressure or blood sugar are too high. Over time, this can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the
retina in the eye, which coverts light into electrical signals and sends them to the brain. If the retina doesn’t get the
blood it needs, it can’t work properly, meaning vision is affected. It can eventually cause permanent blindness.

The disease is progressive: at first, the blood vessels start to leak and eventually cause bleeding inside the eyes. There
are three stages of retinopathy that mainly affect the central part of the retina and can cause permanent blindness,
while a different type of the disease, called maculopathy, affects the middle of the eye.

People who have diabetes are also at higher risk of developing other eye problems, including cataracts and glaucoma.

1 per cent

Of blindness worldwide is caused by diabetic retinopathy

How is diabetic retinopathy treated?

Management

Keeping blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control can prevent diabetes-related vision
problems.

Injections and laser

If detected early, injections and laser treatment can stop the disease from progressing and prevent blindness.

Surgery

In the case of advanced diabetic retinopathy, surgery may be needed to remove blood and new blood vessels from the
back of the eye.

What we’re doing

Sightsavers helps to treat and prevent eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy in the countries where we work.

We raise awareness of diabetic retinopathy through public health campaigns, and we provide support for local health
services to make sure patients are diagnosed and referred for treatment as soon as possible.

The sooner people with diabetic retinopathy are treated, the more likely it is that their sight can be saved.
About Sightsavers

Our work focuses on preventing and treating avoidable blindness, fighting disease and promoting the rights of people
with disabilities.

Https://www.sightsavers.org/protecting-sight/diabetic-retinopathy/

What Causes Blindness?

Blindness is the inability to see anything, even light. If you’re partially blind, you have limited vision. For example,
you may have blurry vision or the inability to distinguish the shapes of objects. Complete blindness means that you
can’t see at all and are in total darkness. Legal blindness refers to vision that’s highly compromised. What a person
with healthy eyes can see from 200 feet away a legally blind person can see only from 20 feet away.

Seek medical attention right away if you suddenly lose the ability to see. Have someone bring you to the emergency
room for treatment. Don’t wait for your vision to return. Depending on the cause of your blindness, immediate
treatment may increase your chances of restoring your vision. Treatment may involve surgery or medication.

What Are the Symptoms of Blindness?

If you’re completely blind, you can see nothing. If you’re partially blind, you might experience the following
symptoms:

 Cloudy vision
 An inability to see shapes
 Seeing only shadows
 Poor night vision
 Tunnel vision

Symptoms of Blindness in Infants

Your child’s visual system begins to develop in the womb, but it won’t be fully formed until about 2 years of age. By
6 to 8 weeks of age, your baby should be able to fix their gaze on an object and follow its movement. By 4 months of
age, their eyes should be properly aligned and not turned inward or outward.

The symptoms of visual impairment in young children can include:

 Constant eye rubbing

 An extreme sensitivity to light
 Poor focusing
 Chronic eye redness
 Chronic tearing from their eyes
 A white instead of a black pupil
 Poor visual tracking, or trouble following an object with their eyes
 Abnormal eye alignment or movement after 6 months of age

What Causes Blindness?

The following eye diseases and conditions can cause blindness:

  Glaucoma refers to four different eye conditions that can damage your optic nerve, which carries visual
information from your eyes to your brain.
 Macular degeneration destroys the part of your eye that enables you to see details. It usually affects older
adults.
 Cataracts cause cloudy vision. They’re more common in older people.
 A lazy eye can make it difficult to see details. It may lead to vision loss.
 Optic neuritis is inflammation that can cause temporary or permanent vision loss.
 Retinitis pigmentosa refers to damage of the retina. It leads to blindness only in rare cases.
 Tumors that affect your retina or optic nerve can also cause blindness.

Blindness is a potential complication if you have diabetes or have a stroke. Birth defects, eye injuries, and
complications from eye surgery are other common causes of blindness.

Causes of Blindness in Infants

The following conditions can impair vision or cause blindness in infants:

 Infections, such as pinkeye

 Blocked tear ducts
 Cataracts
 Strabismus, or crossed eyes
 Amblyopia, or a lazy eye
 Ptosis, or a droopy eyelid
 Congenital glaucoma
 Retinopathy of prematurity, which occurs in premature babies when the blood vessels that supply their
retina aren’t fully developed
 Visual inattention, or delayed development of your child’s visual system

Who Is at Risk of Blindness?

The following categories of people are at risk of blindness:

 People with eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma

 People with diabetes
 People who have a stroke
 Eye surgery patients
 People who work with or near sharp objects or toxic chemicals
 Premature babies

How Is Blindness Diagnosed?

A thorough eye exam by an optometrist will help to determine the cause of your blindness or partial loss of vision.
Your eye doctor will administer a series of tests that measure the clarity of your vision, the function of your eye
muscles, and how your pupils react to light. They’ll examine the general health of your eyes using a slit lamp, which
is a low-power microscope paired with a high-intensity light.

Diagnosing Blindness in Infants

A pediatrician will screen your baby for eye problems shortly after birth. At 6 months of age, you should have an eye
doctor or pediatrician check your child again for visual acuity, focus, and eye alignment. The doctor will look at your
baby’s eye structures and see whether they can follow a light or colorful object with their eyes.
Your child should be able to pay attention to visual stimuli by 6 to 8 weeks of age. If your child doesn’t react to light
shining in their eyes or focus on colorful objects by 2 to 3 months of age, have their eyes examined right away. You
should have their eyes examined if you notice crossed eyes or any other symptoms of impaired vision.

How Is Blindness Treated?

In some cases of vision impairment, one or more of the following may help to restore your vision:

 Eyeglasses
 Contact lenses
 Surgery
 Medication

If you experience partial blindness that can’t be corrected, your doctor will provide guidance on how to function with
limited vision. For example, you can use a magnifying glass to read, increase the text size on your computer, and use
audio clocks and audiobooks.

Complete blindness requires approaching life in a new way and learning new skills. For example, you may need to
learn how to:

 Read Braille
 Use a guide dog
 Memorize the keypad on your phone
 Organize your home so you can find things easily
 Fold money in distinct ways to distinguish bill amounts

You may also need to have handrails installed in your bathroom.

What Is the Long-Term Outlook?

The long-term outlook for restoring vision and slowing vision loss is better when treatment is preventive and sought
immediately. Cataracts can be treated effectively with surgery and don’t necessarily result in blindness. Early
diagnosis and treatment are also important in cases of glaucoma and macular degeneration to help slow down or stop
your vision loss.

How Can Blindness Be Prevented?

To detect eye diseases and help prevent vision loss, get regular eye examinations. If you’re diagnosed with certain eye
conditions, such as glaucoma, treatment with medication can help prevent blindness.

Have your child’s eyes examined at 6 months of age, 3 years of age, and every two years between the ages of 6 and
18 years old to help prevent vision loss. If you notice symptoms of vision loss between routine visits, make an
appointment with their eye doctor immediately.

Blindness and vision impairment

11 October 2018
Key facts

 Globally, it is estimated that approximately 1.3 billion people live with some form of vision impairment.
 With regards to distance vision, 188.5 million people have mild vision impairment, 217 million have
moderate to severe vision impairment, and 36 million people are blind (1).
 With regards to near vision, 826 million people live with a near vision impairment (2).
 Globally, the leading causes of vision impairment are uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts.
 Approximately 80% of all vision impairment globally is considered avoidable.
 The majority of people with vision impairment are over the age of 50 years.

Definitions

The International Classification of Diseases 11 (2018) classifies vision impairment into two groups, distance and near
presenting vision impairment.

Distance vision impairment:

 Mild – presenting visual acuity worse than 6/12

 Moderate – presenting visual acuity worse than 6/18
 Severe – presenting visual acuity worse than 6/60
 Blindness – presenting visual acuity worse than 3/60

Near vision impairment:

 Presenting near visual acuity worse than N6 or M.08 with existing correction..

A person’s experience of vision impairment varies depending upon many different factors. This includes for example,
the availability of prevention and treatment interventions, access to vision rehabilitation (including assistive
products such as glasses or white canes), and whether the person experiences problems with inaccessible buildings,
transport and information.
Prevalence

Globally, it is estimated that approximately 1.3 billion people live with some form of distance or near vision
impairment.

With regards to distance vision, 188.5 million have mild vision impairment, 217 million have moderate to severe
vision impairment, and 36 million people are blind (1). With regards to near vision, 826 million people live with a
near vision impairment (2).

Population growth and ageing will increase the risk that more people acquire vision impairment.

Causes

Globally, the leading causes of vision impairment are:

 Uncorrected refractive errors

 Cataract
 Age-related macular degeneration
 Glaucoma
 Diabetic retinopathy
  Corneal opacity
 Trachoma.

There is some variation in the causes across countries. For example, the proportion of vision impairment attributable
to cataract is higher in low- and middle-income countries than high-income countries. In high income countries,
diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration are more common.

Among children, the causes of vision impairment varies considerably across countries. For example, in low-income
countries congenital cataract is a leading cause, whereas in high income countries it is more likely to be retinopathy
of prematurity.

Strategies to address vision impairment

Approximately 80% of vision impairment globally is considered avoidable. There are effective interventions available
to prevent and treat eye diseases. For example, uncorrected refractive error can be corrected with glasses while cataract
surgery can restore vision. Vision rehabilitation is also effective in improving functioning for people with an
irreversible vision impairment.

WHO response

WHO’s work is guided by the publication Universal eye health: a global action plan 2014-2019, which was agreed
to by a resolution at the World Health Assembly in 2013.

 Universal eye health: a global action plan 2014-2019

Over the last few years, WHO has developed and implemented several tools to support countries to assess the provision
of eye care services:

 Eye care services assessment tool

 Tool for assessment of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy
 Tool for assessment of rehabilitation services and systems

WHO is also developing a World report on vision. The report will offer recommendations, including a number focused
on ensuring comprehensive and integrated eye care in countries. It is expected the report will help to shape the global
agenda on vision, including assisting Member States to reduce the burden of eye diseases, improve the lives of people
with vision impairment and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment

Blindness: Loss of useful sight. Blindness can be temporary or permanent. Damage to any portion of the eye, the
optic nerve, or the area of the brain responsible for vision can lead to blindness. There are numerous (actually,
innumerable) causes of blindness. The current politically correct terms for blindness include visually handicapped
and visually challenged.

Https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?Articlekey=20629

Blindness facts

 Blindness is strictly defined as the state of being totally sightless in both eyes. A completely blind individual
is unable to see at all. The word blindness, however, is commonly used as a relative term to signify visual
 impairment, or low vision, meaning that even with eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery, a person
does not see well. Vision impairment can range from mild to severe.
 Worldwide, between 300 million and 400 million people are visually impaired due to various causes. Of this
group, approximately 50 million people are totally blind, unable to see light in either eye. Eighty percent of
blindness occurs in people over 50 years old.
 Common causes of blindness include diabetes, macular degeneration, traumatic injuries, infections of the
cornea or retina, glaucoma, and inability to obtain any glasses.
 Less common causes of blindness include vitamin A deficiency, retinopathy of prematurity, vascular disease
involving the retina or optic nerve including stroke, ocular inflammatory disease, retinitis pigmentosa,
primary or secondary malignancies of the eye, congenital abnormalities, hereditary diseases of the eye, and
chemical poisoning from toxic agents such as methanol.
 Temporary blindness differs in causes from permanent blindness.
 The diagnosis of blindness is made by examination of all parts of the eye by an ophthalmologist.
 The universal symptom of blindness or visual impairment is difficulty with seeing. People who lose their
vision suddenly, rather than over a period of years, are more symptomatic regarding their visual loss.
 The treatment of blindness depends on the cause of blindness.
 The prognosis for blindness is dependent on its cause.
 Legal blindness is defined by lawmakers in nations or states in order to either limit allowable activities, such
as driving, of individuals who are "legally blind" or to provide preferential governmental benefits to those
people in the form of special educational services, assistance with daily functions or monetary assistance.
It is estimated that approximately 700,000 people in the United States meet the legal definition of
blindness.
 In most states in the United States, "legal blindness" is defined as the inability to see at least 20/200 in
either eye with best optical correction.
 Between 80%-90% of the blindness in the world is preventable through a combination of education, access
to good medical care, and provision of glasses.
 Patients who have untreatable blindness require reorganization of their habits and re-education to allow
them to do everyday tasks in different ways. In the United States and most other developed nations,
financial assistance through various agencies can pay for the training and support necessary to allow a blind
person to function.
 There are countless individuals with blindness, who, despite significant visual handicaps, have had full lives
and enriched the lives of those who have had contact with them.

What is blindness?

Blindness is defined as the state of being sightless. A blind individual is unable to see. In a strict sense the word
"blindness" denotes the inability of a person to distinguish darkness from bright light in either eye. The terms blind
and blindness have been modified in our society to include a wide range of visual impairment. Blindness is frequently
used today to describe severe visual decline in one or both eyes with maintenance of some residual vision.

Vision impairment, or low vision, means that even with eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery, someone
doesn't see well. Vision impairment can range from mild to severe. Worldwide, between 300 million-400 million
people are visually impaired due to various causes. Of this group, approximately 50 million people are totally blind.
Approximately 80% of blindness occurs in people over 50 years of age.

When is one considered legally blind?

Legal blindness is not a medical term. It is defined by lawmakers in nations or states in order to either limit allowable
activities, such as driving, by individuals who are "legally blind" or to provide preferential governmental benefits to
those people in the form of educational services or monetary assistance. Under the Aid to the Blind program in the
Social Security Act passed in 1935, the United States Congress defined legal blindness as either central visual acuity
of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective glasses or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a
visual field defect in which the peripheral field is contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of the visual
field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees in the better eye. Blindness in one eye is never defined
as legal blindness if the other eye is normal or near-normal.

It is estimated that more than 1 million people in the United States meet the legal definition of blindness.

What are the different types of blindness?

Color blindness is the inability to perceive differences in various shades of colors, particularly green and red, that
others can distinguish. It is most often inherited (genetic) and affects about 8% of males and under 1% of women.
People who are color blind usually have normal vision otherwise and can function well visually. This is actually not
true blindness.

Night blindness is a difficulty in seeing under situations of decreased illumination. It can be genetic or acquired. The
majority of people who have night vision difficulties function well under normal lighting conditions; this is not a state
of sightlessness.

Snow blindness is loss of vision after exposure of the eyes to large amounts of ultraviolet light. Snow blindness is
usually temporary and is due to swelling of cells of the corneal surface. Even in the most severe of cases of snow
blindness, the individual is still able to see shapes and movement.

People often say, "I am 'blind as a bat' without my glasses." All bat species have eyes, and most have excellent vision
at night but not in daylight. More importantly, the term blindness means the inability to see despite wearing glasses.
Anyone who has access to glasses and sees well with the glasses cannot be termed blind.

What causes blindness?

 Readers Comments 1
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The many causes of blindness differ according to the socioeconomic condition of the nation being studied. In
developed nations, the leading causes of blindness include ocular complications of diabetes, macular degeneration,
glaucoma, and traumatic injuries. In third-world nations where 90% of the world's visually impaired population lives,
the principal causes are infections, cataracts, glaucoma, injury, and inability to obtain any glasses. In developed
nations, the term blindness is not used to describe those people whose vision is correctable with glasses.

Infectious causes in underdeveloped areas of the world include trachoma, onchocerciasis (river blindness), and
leprosy. The most common infectious cause of blindness in developed nations is herpes simplex. Other causes of
blindness include vitamin A deficiency, retinopathy of prematurity, blood vessel diseases involving the retina or optic
nerve including stroke, infectious diseases of the cornea or retina, ocular inflammatory disease, retinitis pigmentosa,
primary or secondary malignancies of the eye, congenital abnormalities, hereditary diseases of the eye, and chemical
poisoning from toxic agents such as methanol.

What are risk factors for blindness?

A principal risk factor for blindness is living in a third-world nation without ready access to modern medical care.
Other risk factors include poor prenatal care, premature birth, advancing age, poor nutrition, failing to wear safety
glasses when indicated, poor hygiene, smoking, a family history of blindness, the presence of various ocular diseases
and the existence of medical conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, and
cardiovascular disease.
What are signs and symptoms of blindness?

All people who are blind or have visual impairment have the common symptom of difficulty seeing. People with
similar levels of visual loss may have very different responses to that symptom. If one is born blind, there is much
less adjustment to a non-seeing world than there is for people who lose their vision late in life, where there may be
limited ability to cope with that visual loss. Support systems available to individuals and their psychological makeup
will also modify the symptom of lack of sight. People who lose their vision suddenly, rather than over a period of
years, also can have more difficulty adjusting to their visual loss.

Associated symptoms, such a discomfort in the eyes, awareness of the eyes, foreign body sensation, and pain in the
eyes or discharge from the eyes may be present or absent, depending on the underlying cause of the blindness.

A blind person may have no visible signs of any abnormalities when sitting in a chair and resting. However, when
blindness is a result of infection of the cornea (the dome in front of the eye), the normally transparent cornea may
become white or gray, making it difficult to view the colored part of the eye. In blindness from cataract, the normally
black pupil may appear white. Depending on the degree of blindness, the affected individual will exhibit signs of
visual loss when attempting to ambulate. Some blind people have learned to look directly at the person they are
speaking with, so it is not obvious they are blind.

What specialists treat blindness?

Ophthalmology is the specialty of medicine that deals with diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of eye
disease. Therefore, ophthalmologists are the specialists who have the knowledge and tools to diagnose the cause of
blindness and to provide treatment, if possible.

How do health care professionals diagnose blindness?

 Readers Comments 2
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Blindness is diagnosed by testing each eye individually and by measuring the visual acuity and the visual field, or
peripheral vision. People may have blindness in one (unilateral blindness) or both eyes (bilateral blindness). Historical
information regarding the blindness can be helpful in diagnosing the cause of blindness. Poor vision that is sudden in
onset differs in potential causes than blindness that is progressive or chronic. Temporary blindness differs in cause
from permanent blindness. The cause of blindness is made by a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist.

What are treatments for blindness?

 Share Your Story

The treatment of visual impairment or blindness depends on the cause. In third-world nations where many people have
poor vision as a result of a refractive error, merely prescribing and giving glasses will alleviate the problem. Nutritional
causes of blindness can be addressed by dietary changes. There are millions of people in the world who are blind from
cataracts. In these patients, cataract surgery would, in most cases, restore their sight. Inflammatory and infectious
causes of blindness can be treated with medication in the form of drops or pills. Corneal transplantation may help
people whose vision is absent as a result of corneal scarring.

What is the prognosis for blindness?

The prognosis for blindness is dependent on its cause. In patients with blindness due to optic-nerve damage or a
completed stroke, visual acuity can usually not be restored. Patients with long-standing retinal detachment in general
cannot be improved with surgical repair of their detachment. Patients who have corneal scarring or cataract usually
have a good prognosis if they are able to access surgical care of their condition.

Is blindness preventable?

Blindness is preventable through a combination of education and access to good medical care. Most traumatic causes
of blindness can be prevented through eye protection. Nutritional causes of blindness are preventable through proper
diet. Most cases of blindness from glaucoma are preventable through early detection and appropriate treatment. Visual
impairment and blindness caused by infectious diseases have been greatly reduced through international public-health
measures.

The majority of blindness from diabetic retinopathy is preventable through careful control of blood-sugar levels,
exercise, avoidance of obesity and smoking, and emphasis on eating foods that do not increase the sugar load
(complex, rather than simple carbohydrates). There has been an increase in the number of people who are blind or
visually impaired from conditions that are a result of living longer. As the world's population achieves greater
longevity, there will also be more blindness from diseases such as macular degeneration. However, these diseases are
so common that research and treatment are constantly evolving. Regular eye examinations may often uncover a
potentially blinding illness that can then be treated before there is any visual loss.

There is ongoing research regarding gene therapy for certain patients with inheritable diseases such as Leber's
congenital amaurosis (LCA) and retinitis pigmentosa. Improvements in diagnosis and prevention of retinopathy of
prematurity, a potentially blinding illness seen in premature babies, have made it an avoidable cause of blindness
today.

Patients who have untreatable blindness need tools and help to reorganize their habits and the way in which they
perform their everyday tasks. Organizations, such as the Braille Institute, offer helpful resources and support for people
with blindness and for their families. Visual aids, text-reading software, and Braille books are available, together with
many simple and complex technologies to assist people with severely compromised vision in functioning more
effectively. In the United States and most other developed nations, financial assistance through various agencies can
pay for the training and support necessary to allow a blind person to function.

John Milton and Helen Keller are well known for their accomplishments in life despite being blind. There are countless
other unnamed individuals with blindness, however, who, despite significant visual handicaps, have had full lives and
enriched the lives of those who have interacted with them.

Https://www.medicinenet.com/blindness/article.htm#is_blindness_preventable

What are 7 causes of blindness?

Blindness Causes
Common causes of vision loss in the elderly include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular
degeneration, and cataracts.

Hence, the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons or Republic Act 7277 states that deaf people ensures adequate access
to a quality education. In this regard, the Insular School for the Deaf and Blind (now called Philippine School for
Deaf) was established in 1907 to cater to Filipinos with a hearing problem.

The Council is made up of four Deaf leaders of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, and three hearing bilinguals
from the national state university, a private university, and a research NGO for deaf advocacy. 2 CRPD compliant
budget advocacy project. ... Philippine Coalition on the UNCRPD. 3 Special Education.

How many deaf people are there in the Philippines?

The 2000 Philippine census states there are approximately 121,000 Deaf people living in the Philippines, and
recent research indicates that unemployment among Deaf people may be 90-95%. The Philippine Federation of the
Deaf (PFD), has 18 member organizations serving various sub-cultures and regions of the Philippines.

RA 1179 – An Act To Provide For The Promotion Of Vocational Rehabilitation Of The Blind And Other
Handicapped Persons And Their Return To Civil Employment

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1179

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROMOTION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OF THE

BLIND AND OTHER HANDICAPPED PERSONS AND THEIR RETURN TO CIVIL EMPLOYMENT

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. This Act may be cited as Vocational Rehabilitation Act

Https://www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws/republic-acts/republic-act-1179/

There are over 400,000 bilaterally blind people in the Philippines, of which 62% is due to cataract. The prevalence
of blindness has been reduced compared with the 1987 and 1995 national surveys.

Blindness survey - APAMED Central

Https://apamedcentral.org/Synapse/Data/pdfdata/0014PJO/pjo-30-100.pdf

Persons with Disability

Persons with Disability in the Philippines (Results from the 2010 Census)

About 16 per thousand of the country’s population had disability

Of the 92.1 million household population in the country, 1,443 thousand persons or 1.57 percent had disability, based
on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (2010 CPH). The recorded figure of persons with disability (PWD) in
the 2000 CPH was 935,551 persons, which was 1.23 percent of the household population.

Https://psa.gov.ph/tags/persons-disability