By Mr Kwok
After talking to optometrists and parents in the past 2 years, anecdotal evidence points to a rising trend of myopia (shortsightedness) in our school going children.
Perhaps this should not be so surprising given the wide use of home based learning during the various covid-19 episodes in the same period. The use of computers and mobile devices have been linked to myopia due to focusing the eyes for close work which is further exacerbated by the long duration of such work.
In addition, both the circuit breaker and well meaning parents discourage children from unnecessary forays out of the house to avoid the dreaded infection. Unfortunately, this also limits their outdoor activities which are supposed to delay or even negate the onset of myopia.
Is there still hope for our children to escape this inevitable fate of becoming myopic? And for those children already myopic, are they sentenced to a path of increasing degree in their myopia?
Not being a professional in this line, I cannot answer these questions. However, you may find your answers in this upcoming live webinar, Myopia – What You Need To Know (4 Jun 2022, Sat, 1000-1200). The speakers are my colleagues in Singapore Polytechnic and I am confident that they have the expertise to answer all your queries and clarify your doubts on childhood myopia. Register early to claim your seat!
