Protecting eyesight
A study published last week by National Taiwan University Hospital has identified a trend of severely worsening nearsightedness as students progress from elementary school through senior-high school. I can attest to this, having previously taught high-school students. In any class, more than half of students were nearsighted.
The last few years have seen an explosion in the use of smartphones, tablets, e-books and smart classrooms, which has indirectly caused problems of eye fatigue and screen addiction.
Several things can be done to combat this. For instance, many schools encourage students to take part in eye exercises, gazing into the distance and vision training and other activities, although they are not compulsory.
If these activities were to be included in the curriculum, including teaching students early on about the serious side-effects of modern technology, such as nearsightedness, cataracts and retinal diseases, this would help raise children’s awareness and hopefully encourage them to adopt preventive measures.
Furthermore, increasing efforts to encourage the reading of printed books, aside from giving struggling brick-and-mortar bookshops a helping hand, would also help save students’ eyesight.
Research also shows that reading printed books allows for more intensive reading, focuses concentration and the material is more easily stored in the long-term memory.
At a higher level, the government should consider implementing an annual “eye week,” during which schools put on a week of exercises and activities to promote eye health.
This would allow not just children and students, but also the wider public to understand the importance of maintaining good eye health and increase self-awareness, which should ultimately mean they are able to self-regulate their use of smart devices and take better care of their eyes.
Of course, the wider environment also needs to be changed. For instance, screens and mobile devices need to be equipped with more advanced brightness controls and a function that limits usage time.
Advertisements and marketing materials for such devices should come with a health warning, while parents and teachers must lead by example.
If a comprehensive set of measures is introduced, it would be possible to reverse the trend of children’s declining eyesight.
We must take action now.
Lin Yen-yu
Kaohsiung
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
As former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) wrapped up his visit to the People’s Republic of China, he received his share of attention. Certainly, the trip must be seen within the full context of Ma’s life, that is, his eight-year presidency, the Sunflower movement and his failed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, as well as his eight years as Taipei mayor with its posturing, accusations of money laundering, and ups and downs. Through all that, basic questions stand out: “What drives Ma? What is his end game?” Having observed and commented on Ma for decades, it is all ironically reminiscent of former US president Harry