16 Focus
16 Focus
The HEALTH | September-October . 2024
Early eye care
Eye health in young people has never been more critical
BY ZAFIRAH ZAFRUDDIN
CHILDREN today spend most of their time online , with screen time from online learning , social media and video games increasingly taking precedence over outdoor play .
Sabah Women and Children Hospital ( HWKKS ) Paediatric Ophthalmologist Dr Mohd Israk Mohd Isa alerts : “ We are now seeing a surge in the number of kids with myopia . The prevalence of myopia has increased significantly ; around 80-90 per cent of children in East Asia are now myopic .”
Myopia is not just a local concern , but a looming global health crisis . Projections suggest that by 2050 , half of the world ’ s population could be grappling with this sight-threatening condition .
Given the urgency of the situation , eye health in young people has never been more critical .
“ Children are the future generation , and their vision is crucial for their overall development and quality of life ,” said Dr Israk .
This year , World Sight Day ( WSD ) is focusing on children ’ s health , and Malaysia has shown its commitment to the cause by adopting the theme , ‘ Love Your Eyes , Kids ,’ for the national celebration . This theme underscores the need for early detection and proactive care .
Malaysia ’ s WSD 2024 will take place in Kota Kinabalu . It will be organised by the Ophthalmology Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital One , with the Paediatric Ophthalmology Department of HWKKS serving as the co-host .
Dr Mohd Israk Mohd Isa
Types of myopia severity .
( IMAGE BY MAMP )
Private ophtalmologists and optometrists from centres like Optimax , Synergy Specialist Eye Centre , OptiMed , eyeMedics Specialist Eye Centre , and KK Vision Centre are lending their support .
Additionally , the Rotary Club and Lions Club Sabah , both prominent non-governmental organisations ( NGOs ), will provide intraocular lenses for patients in need . They will also be involved in conducting eye screenings in rural areas .
FOLLOWING the success of World Sight Day ( WSD ) 2023 , the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness ( IAPB ), in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation ( ILO ), is continuing its ‘ Love Your Eyes ’ campaign . For WSD 2024 , the focus shifts to children ’ s eye care .
IAPB Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ) Peter Holland stressed the correlation between children ’ s vision problems and their education , noting the severe impact untreated vision problems
On top of that , there is additional support from the Ministry of Health and the Sabah government , with Dr Sheena Mary Alexander , a prominent state ophthalmologist , at the helm .
Various programmes have been arranged to ensure broad participation and increase awareness :
• A 24-kilometre virtual run throughout the month .
• A Facebook Live talk show on Sep 18 , 2024 , featuring Queen Elizabeth
Inspiring a healthy vision
can have on learning and academic performance .
“ Research tells us that children with access to and being prescribed spectacles can reduce failing rates by 44 per cent . It is knowledge like this that has led us to make World Sight Day 2024 one for children around the world ,” remarked Holland .
IAPB has organised several activities and competitions leading up to Oct 10 in hopes of boosting participation .
For one , the long-running WSD