Eye Care Experts Urge Education Ministry to Prioritize Eye Health in Primary Schools
PETALING JAYA: Two eye care specialists have called on the education ministry to prioritize eye health in primary schools to reduce myopia among children.
Myopia: A Growing Concern
Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, refers to the difficulty of seeing distant objects clearly, while vision remains unaffected when a person is closer to an object. According to health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, visual acuity problems remain a major concern among Year 1 pupils, particularly in Putrajaya.
The Role of Physical Education
Dr. S Sathiya Prakash, vice-president of the Association of Malaysian Optometrists, emphasized the importance of physical education in reducing myopia. "The ministry should look into encouraging healthy vision among pupils by extending the period of outdoor activities in schools. This can also be complemented by promoting practical strategies like the ’20-20-20′ rule to protect vision and prevent eye strain," he said.
The 20-20-20 Rule
The 20-20-20 rule proposes that for every 20 minutes of doing close-up work for long periods, take a 20-second break and look at something 20ft away. Additionally, Sathiya encouraged healthy visual habits, including limiting screen time, reading at an arm’s length, and spending more time outdoors rather than indoors, to combat myopia.
Teachers’ Role in Reducing Myopia
Dr. Norazah Abdul Rahman, a paediatrics ophthalmologist at Subang Jaya Medical Centre, highlighted the importance of teachers in reducing myopia among school children. "Besides educating children regarding eye health, the government should allocate funding to train teachers to identify and detect children’s vision issues," she said.
Conclusion
In light of the growing concern over myopia among Year 1 pupils, it is essential for the education ministry to prioritize eye health in primary schools. By promoting physical education, encouraging healthy visual habits, and training teachers to identify and detect children’s vision issues, we can reduce the prevalence of myopia among school children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is myopia?
A: Myopia is a condition where a person has difficulty seeing distant objects clearly, while vision remains unaffected when they are closer to an object.
Q: What are some ways to reduce myopia?
A: Encouraging physical education, limiting screen time, reading at an arm’s length, and spending more time outdoors rather than indoors can help reduce myopia.
Q: Can malnourishment cause myopia in children?
A: No, myopia in children is more likely due to lifestyle problems and genetics, rather than malnourishment.