By Dr. Ann Jelynne Marfori

The tenth of May 2025 marked a momentous event as the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) Department of Ophthalmology held its 30th post-graduate course together with the Philippine Society for Low Vision and Rehabilitation (PSLVR). Not only was it a rare collaboration between MDH and a specialty society, but the very first purely low vision rehabilitation post graduate course offering. 

It was a collectively unique course attended by 150 ophthalmologic resident trainees, ophthalmologists, optometrists, occupational specialists, physical therapists, white cane instructors and information technology experts both local and abroad – a collaborative effort of various disciplines to elevate low vision rehabilitation service offerings. 

The morning started with a primer on low vision fundamentals and assessment. It was followed by a luncheon video presentation – A Day in My Life of a blind technology and accessibility expert, seconded by topics on Z-Benefit Package of PhilHealth, multidisciplinary approach to low vision care, opportunities for the visually impaired, and a video presentation entitled “Children with Visual Impairment & Multiple Disabilities” . The day was concluded by a couple of case presentations followed by interesting discussions. 

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our speakers, consultants, and industry partners, including Eye Can Occupational Therapy, Resources for the Blind, and the Perkins School for the Blind, as well as the host and organizing committee. Finally, we recognize the National Leadership Development Program of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) Batch 2024-2025, which served as the catalyst for this initiative. It was a vision fulfilled. A course that reminded and reestablished its participants of the realistic possibilities and a tangible hope for the blind and the low-sighted. Coming together as one community resounded our advocacy for a more inclusive tomorrow. Together we EVOLVE! 

See you at the upcoming PAO annual meeting as we offer a special introductory workshop on the more common low vision devices for the general ophthalmologist! 

About the author: 
Dr. Ann Jelynne Marfori is an ophthalmologist and low vision rehabilitation specialist actively practicing in Santa Rosa Laguna, Southwoods Binan and Paranaque. She is currently the section head of the low vision rehabilitation service at the Manila Doctors Hospital and the PRO of the Philippine Society for Low Vision Rehabilitation (PSLVR).  She is a diplomate and fellow of the Phil Academy of Ophthalmology, and a product of its Leadership Development Training Program of 2024.