By Dr. Kris Zanna Acluba-Arao

A teenager once pleaded with me to cure his “color blindness” so he could pursue his childhood dream of entering the Philippine Military Academy. He had passed the written exam, endured rigorous physical training, and cleared multiple medical tests. But at the final step, he failed the Ishihara color test. And just like that, his dream ended.

It remains one of the most heartbreaking moments in my practice. Over the years, I have met many others like him – young people aspiring to careers in the military, police, or aviation- only to discover too late that color vision deficiency (CVD), still incurable to this day, would close those doors.

Often unnoticed, CVD can have lifelong consequences. In school, affected learners may struggle with color-coded materials, leading to confusion, disengagement, or reduced confidence. More concerning, many invest years pursuing careers that require normal color vision, only to discover the limitation too late.

In 2023, Dr. Louis Ogano II shared his CVD screening program to the PAO-Northeastern Luzon Chapter (PAO-NEL) and the Department of Education Region II (DepEd R02). I worked with Dr Karen Reyes to formalize this partnership leading to the conception and implementation of Project O.C.U.L.U.S. (Ocular Check-Up to Uncover Learners’ Unseen Sight Gaps).

Intending to promote equitable and inclusive education through early detection, the initiative screened 991 Grade 7 students across 14 underserved schools in the region. Those identified with CVD were referred for counseling and further ophthalmologic evaluation – equipping them with clarity and informed choices for their future.

Project OCULUS highlights a simple truth: success rarely happens in isolation – it thrives in collaboration. What began as one doctor’s advocacy now lives through the collective efforts of healthcare providers, educators, and families – ensuring that children are truly seen, guided not just in their education, but in shaping realistic and fulfilling career paths.

EDITORS’ NOTE: For those interested in contacting the author, learning more about the project, or exploring how this initiative can be adapted to your local setting or organization, Dr. Zan may be reached at: kris.zanna@gmail.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr Kris Zanna B. Acluba-Arao is a graduate of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UP-PGH, an External Disease and Cornea specialist from Tuguegarao City, who practices in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela. She was the President of the PAO-Northeastern Luzon Chapter for 2021-2023. She is a graduate of the 2024 PAO-LDP Program.