Reported 8 months ago
According to a report by reporters Chen Qiuyun, Huang Yin, and Zhu Guanyu on June 23, 2024, the rate of poor eyesight among elementary to high school students in Taichung City is higher than the national average, with last year being the highest among the top 6 cities. Council members are urging for measures to improve students' eyesight, as currently, only elementary students in Taichung receive vision checks in the health room, unlike students in Taipei and New Taipei City who receive professional eye exams annually. The Health Bureau has committed to seeking funds next year to enhance eye health checks for children, extending programs to benefit over 20,000 students in Taichung. The Education Department statistics show that over the past four years, the rates of poor eyesight among elementary, junior high, and high school students in Taichung have consistently exceeded the national average, with last year's rates being the highest among the top 6 cities. Council members are pushing for Taichung City to follow the lead of Taipei and New Taipei City in providing annual professional eye exams for elementary school children. Health experts emphasize the importance of protecting students' eyesight by adhering to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's guidelines for eye health, including taking breaks from near-distance activities and engaging in at least 120 minutes of outdoor activities daily. Other cities like Taoyuan also face increasing eye health issues among young children, prompting local governments to implement free health checks and interventions to address vision problems.
Source: YAHOO