Wed, Dec 06, 2000 page2

• Myopia increases among children

  • By Liu Shao-hua 劉紹華 / STAFF REPORTER
  • • 
    • 
    • 

  One of every five children in the first grade in Taiwan's elementary schools is myopic (near-sighted). The proportion of myopics in this group has increased from 12.1 percent in 1995 to 20.4 percent this year, according to the results of a survey released by the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday.

  The results also show that 60.7 percent of sixth graders in elementary schools, 80.7 percent of third graders in junior high schools, and 84.2 percent of third graders in senior high schools suffer from myopia. In addition, the number of seriously myopic children is also on the rise. The proportion of seriously myopic children among sixth graders in elementary schools has increased from 2 percent five years ago to 2.4 percent this year.

  Serious myopia is defined as exceeding 600 degrees. Anything over 25 degrees is myopia. Normal eyesight is zero degrees.

  "We appeal for reductions to children's work load in schools and the amelioration of visual environments in daily life," said Chen Tzay-jinn (陳再晉), director-general of the health promotion bureau, under the health department.

  The survey was conducted by the department, in cooperation with National Taiwan University and its hospital, and involved a sample of 12,000 students from four million students between the ages of seven and 18 nationwide. Myopia has been on the increase in Taiwan ever since the first myopia survey in 1983. The department manages the survey every four or five years.

  The growth of near-sightedness among young children is thought to result from learning to read very young and using computers very young, Chen pointed out.

  Last year, the department and the Ministry of Education delivered official documents to kindergartens nationwide demanding that children not be taught to read or use computers too early. "But many teachers and parents protested against this appeal," said the department officials. "They questioned exactly what they were permitted to teach if reading was not allowed."

  "We do hope that parents and teachers can heighten their awareness of myopia and understand that early learning does not guarantee students' performance in the future, but it does bear a strong correlation to defects in vision," Chen said. The department also appealed for children under the age of 10 not to be taught how to use computers.

  Senior high school students suffer the highest rates of near-sightedness, at over 84 percent. "It reached a plateau five years ago and has not changed this year. But their myopia has become more serious," Chen said. According to the survey, 20 percent of third graders in senior high schools are seriously nearsighted.

  Many people thought operations could cure myopia. "But the superficial improvement of vision does not better the health of the eye. More importantly, it might reduce people's awareness of other problems associated with near-sightedness, apart from visual ones," said Lin Lung-kuang (林隆光), ophthalmology professor at National Taiwan University. "Myopia cannot be cured. We have to prevent children from becoming nearsighted. Don't let them use their vision too early," Lin urged.

  Because of the public's lack of awareness of myopia, the department estimated its prevalence would continue to grow. "Singapore resembles Taiwan in many respects and the extent of its myopia problem might serve as a warning for us," Chen said.

  In 1999, around 34 percent of Singaporean children between the ages of seven and nine suffered from myopia.
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Privately owned city in Kenya taking on corrupt officials

  • 2

    MOE to encourage foreigners to work in Taiwan

  • 3

    Napoli’s title hopes shaken by late Genoa equalizer

  • 4

    Kane tastes first title as Bayern bid farewell to Mueller

  • 5

    Taiwan celebrates V-E Day for first time