“GOOD VISION FOR YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE”
VISION CARE CAMPAIGN
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) will be launching the Vision Care Campaign to help delay the onset and reduce the rapid progression of myopia among Singaporean children. Supported by the National Library Board (NLB), this campaign aims to encourage children to practise good eye care habits while reading in the library.
2 The Vision Care Campaign is the latest activity from the National Myopia Prevention Programme (NMPP), which was launched by the Health Promotion Board in 2001, to tackle high myopia rates among Singaporean children. The Campaign will run from 18 January to 31 March 2006 at Ang Mo Kio Community Library (AMCL).
3 According to the Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors for Myopia (SCORM), myopia affects 28% of 7 year-olds and 63% of 12 year-olds. The SCORM is an ongoing study by the National University of Singapore and Singapore Eye Research Institute involving about 2000 students.
4 “Myopia is the most common eye problem among children in Singapore,” said Dr. Chew Ling, Head, National Myopia Prevention Programme (NMPP), Health Promotion Board. “As NMPP enters its fifth year, it is timely to extend the reach of the myopia prevention message beyond schools. The library is a good platform because children often come here to read and study. Through this Campaign, we hope to remind children that good eye care habits should be practised even outside of the school environment.”
5 The Vision Care Campaign will showcase events and activities on good eye care habits such as the proper distances for reading, writing and using the computer. These Vision Care activities include an eye care exhibition, storytelling sessions, a back-to-school talk for parents and contests for children, where they can win attractive prizes sponsored by HPB.
6 Highlights of the activities at the Vision Care Campaign include three story-telling sessions about Hank and the Magician. Through puppetry, children will get to watch how Hank learns about good eye care habits when reading, watching the television and using the computer from the Magician. They can also participate in the “Spot the Captain Eye” contest and try to spot the Captain Eye standees in the library. These standees feature tips on good eye care habits for children to adopt.
7 “We are very excited to be partnering HPB on the Vision Care Campaign. Reading is an important aspect of a child’s development but it is equally important that they practise good eye care habits while reading,” said Mrs Kiang-Koh Lai Lin, Director, Public Libraries, Programmes and Events Management.
8 The National Myopia Prevention Programme (NMPP) was launched by Health Promotion Board in August 2001. The aim of the Programme is to prevent and reduce myopia progression as well as to delay the onset of myopia in children.
9 National Library Board (NLB) was established on 1 September 1995 with the mission to continuously expand the learning capacity of the nation. NLB oversees the management of the National Library including the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, three regional libraries, 19 community libraries, 18 community children's libraries, as well as over 30 libraries belonging to government agencies, schools and private institutions. Through its innovative use of technology and collaboration with strategic partners, NLB ensures that library users have access to a rich array of information services and resources that are convenient, accessible and useful. More information on NLB can be found on www.nlb.gov.sg.
FACTSHEET: GOOD EYE CARE HABITS
When reading:
- Hold books about 30 cm away from your eyes and sit upright in a comfortable chair.
- Ensure adequate lighting in the room. Avoid excessive glare shining directly onto the book or your face.
- Choose books that have larger print and avoid those with very small print.
When using the computer:
- Place the monitor screen about 50 cm away from the eyes.
- Ensure adequate lighting in the room.
- Adjust the monitor screen to reduce glare. Glare can result from the reflections of other sources of light.
When watching television programmes or playing video games using the television set:
- Sit at least 2m away from the screen.
- The room light should be switched on and the centre of the screen should be at eye level or lower.
- Do not lie down while watching television programmes
FACTSHEET: VISION CARE CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES
The Vision Care Campaign will run from 18 January to the 31 March 2006. The key components are:
Exhibition on Eye Care
This exhibition will be held at Ang Mo Kio Community Library (AMCL) from January to February 2006.
The exhibition will teach children and parents about myopia and good eye care habits such as the correct distances for reading, using the computer or watching TV. The exhibition will also highlight the ways in which children can protect their eyesight.
Parenting Talk “Take Care Of Your Children's Eyes. Fight Myopia!”
This talk will be held on 21 January 2006 at 2.30pm. Myopia or short-sightedness is not just about the inconvenience of having to wear spectacles. Severe myopia can lead to eye complications such as blindness. Through this talk, parents can learn more about myopia and some good eye care habits that they can teach their children to cultivate from young. All parents who attend will receive booklets on eye care, illustrating good eye care habits and how they can help protect their children’s eyesight.
Storytelling Sessions
As part of the Vision Care Campaign, the library will be conducting three storytelling sessions on 18 January, 1 February and 1 March 2006 to educate children about the importance of good eye care habits.
These sessions will feature the story “Hank and the magician”, in which a young boy, Hank learns about good eye care through magical encounters. These sessions are told using puppetry.
“Spot Captain Eye” Contest
The “Spot Captain Eye” contest is an exciting and fun game for children, in which they will be invited to take an entry form from the borrowing counter and fill in the correct answers. All the answers can be found on these “Spot Captain Eye” standees on top of the bookshelves.
This is a good way to engage children as they have to go on a “treasure hunt” looking for the answers to the questions and learn about good eye care habits in the process. 10 lucky winners from this contest will win attractive prizes.
Vision Care Games
To remind children to give their eyes a break, Vision Care games have been placed in the Children’s Section of the library. By placing these games at the window, children have to look outside and in doing so, give their eyes a rest from reading which is a form of near work.
Visuals
Visuals in the Children’s Section to remind children about good eye care habits include posters around the pillars, stickers at the reading tables and pop-up cards placed at the computers. |
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