AS today marks ‘World Sight Day’, State Youth, Sports, and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi highlighted the importance of giving attention to eye health during the national-level celebration at the Caring Society Complex this morning.
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) designates the second Thursday of October as ‘World Sight Day,’ an annual event aimed at raising awareness about eye health.
“This year’s ‘World Sight Day’ is themed ‘Love Your Eyes at Work’ with a specific focus on promoting the importance of taking care of one’s eye health at the workplace.
“The safety and health aspect of a workplace should not be taken lightly. Instead, it should be given serious attention.
“This is because the increase in work-related illness and accidents could have a huge impact on the country’s economy as well as productivity.
“So, I would like to urge all the government agencies, private sectors as well as company owners to be conscious of the eye health of their workers,” Gooi said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the celebration.
Gooi also shared his concern about the increase in eye health issues among children, especially those who are aged between 10 and 12 years old, urging parents to pay attention to the matter.
Meanwhile, state Health Department director Dr Fazilah Shaik Allaudin emphasised the importance of making eye health a standard practice for both employers and employees.
“For instance, most of us will spend a lot of time at our workplaces. Prolonged exposure to computer screens can have adverse effects on vision.
“So, wearing suitable spectacles, applying the 20-20-20 rule, and a good body posture, as well as practising ergonomics at the workplace, will help to reduce eye tiredness, especially when using computers or gadgets.
“As the Health Ministry staff, we have a huge responsibility to ensure that information and awareness on eye health are disseminated effectively to everyone,” Dr Fazilah said while adding that education and public awareness are vital to prevent the incidences of blindness.
At the event, Health Ministry Deputy Director General (Research and Technical) Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah launched an AI system called ‘Dr Mata’ to help in the early detection of diabetic retinopathy.
It is learned that Dr Mata will undergo a trial run in Selangor before being implemented in other states.
According to the National Eye Survey II (NES II), 58% of blindness cases for those who are 50 years old and above are caused by cataracts, followed by diabetic retinopathy (10%), with the remaining cases involving various other eye health issues.
Health booths for free eye check-ups for the public were set up during the event.
There was also a special musical performance from Kelvin Makupi and Jonathan Makadong from St. Nicholas Home.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat