Myopia, or shortsightedness, is very common in Singapore. About half of our children develop myopia by age 12 years.
This condition is thought to be partly hereditary (in the genes), and partly due to environmental factors. You can help delay your child from getting it—or if your child is already myopic, prevent it from getting worse, by following the eye-care tips below:
Start by adopting healthy lifestyle habits. Ensure your child:
- Has a balanced diet
- Has enough sleep
- Has regular outdoor activities in the sun
- Limit screen time for your toddler
Ensure that your child doesn’t have hair or a fringe that covers her eyes.
- Hold the book 30 cm away.
- Sit upright and ensure adequate lighting, but don’t read under strong sunlight or with light shining against the face.
- Do not read books with small print.
- Do not read in a moving vehicle.
- Sit upright and ensure adequate lighting.
- Watch TV from 3 meters away, with the height of the TV at eye-level or lower.
- Relax the eyes after 30 to 40 minutes of doing any near work.
When reading
When watching TV or engaging in supervised screentime
Penjagaan Kesihatan Mata
Kira-kira 50% kanak-kanak di Singapura bawah umur 12 tahun mengalami masalah rabun mata. Untuk mengelakkan rabun mata berlaku, jagalah mata anak anda sejak dari awal :
- Pastikan anak anda mengamalkan gaya hidup yang sihat – pemakanan yang seimbang, cukup tidur dan aktif.
- Kajian menunjukkan bahawa risiko mengalami masalah rabun berkurangan jika kanak-kanak banyak melakukan aktiviti fizikal di luar.
- Elakkan berlebihan “screen time” atau berhadapan dengan skrin televisyen, telefon bimbit atau alat elektronik lain.
