By Dr. Aramis B. Torrefranca, Jr.

I clearly remember being interviewed for residency training, and being asked, “Where do you plan to practice?” My knee-jerk, no-hesitation answer was always “my province.” My vision of improving the ophthalmology practice in my hometown just became clearer and stronger throughout residency training. Years later, I was fortunate to be invited to join the PAO Leadership Development program, where we were asked to spearhead a project. I immediately thought of developing a sustainable, decentralized model of ophthalmic care in our community. While sustainability is often focused on reducing hospital waste, I realized that a significant portion of environmental impact stems from pre-hospital factors, particularly patient travel and delayed health-seeking behavior that lead to advanced, resource-intensive conditions. This is where community ophthalmology comes in.

Together with my Boholano colleagues, we developed a community ophthalmology model designed to decentralize care and bring services closer to underserved populations. Informed by evidence-based assessments of geographic, socioeconomic, and local health system barriers, this program integrates barangay-based vision screening, mobile eye clinics for remote and island communities, and the establishment of satellite eye services. It also prioritizes community education, training of non-ophthalmic health workers, and the creation of efficient referral and triage pathways in partnership with local government units.

Since 2024, we have served approximately 2,000 to 3,000 patients annually (and counting!). The initiative has enabled earlier detection of preventable eye diseases while reducing unnecessary hospital visits and congestion. By minimizing long-distance travel, it has also lowered carbon emissions and financial burden. This work is a testament to how sustainable ophthalmology extends beyond hospitals. While I am very happy with what we have done, I believe that this is just the beginning. What began as a simple draft proposal has since evolved into a meaningful, on-the-ground initiative—a dream transforming into reality.

The Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center (GCGMMC) Department of Ophthalmology and Ocular Health celebrated the groundbreaking ceremonies of the new BUCAS building in Trinidad, Bohol, which houses a more comprehensive community eye care facility in the northeastern part of Bohol province. This event also had a blessing of our existing Community Eye Clinic in the existing building of BUCAS Trinidad.

Information dissemination and education of patients in the Municipality of Maribojoc, Bohol

Satellite eye service and mobile eye clinic successfully conducted in the Municipality of Lila, Bohol.

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. Te may be reached at: aramis.torrefranca@gmail.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. Aramis B. Torrefranca Jr. is a pediatric ophthalmologist, strabismus and retinoblastoma specialist based in the island province of Bohol. He was a former chief resident of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences of the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital. He is a graduate of the 2024 PAO-LDP program.