Initiative to support youth eye health

One hundred young people in Hong Kong are set to receive year-long eye health services under a charitable initiative launched on Sunday, according to its organizers.

The "Sports Health · Energize Campus" initiative is organized by Hong Kong charity The Home of On Hong Limited and co-organized by Shanghai Hope Star Charity Foundation.

Services will include vision monitoring, intervention, guidance on daily eye care and referrals where necessary. The organizers said support would be tailored to participants' individual needs.

Gao Wei, director of The Home of On Hong, said the priority is to translate the resources brought together by the project into practical services that families can understand, schools can work with and community partners can support.

The charity will coordinate participation by families and schools, while Hong Kong Dongfangfushi Intelligent Technology Development Limited will provide local follow-up support.

Shanghai Dongfang Yitong Health Technology Group Co Ltd has pledged service packages valued at HK$3 million ($382,000) for the first 100 participants. It also provides technology and research and development support.

Zong Yunfang, chairperson of Shanghai Hope Star Charity Foundation, said experience from mainland school programs could offer a useful reference for the initiative.

Implementation in Hong Kong should develop at its own pace, taking into account local education practices, family participation and community needs, Zong said.