Singapore has one of the highest prevalence rates of myopia in the world and children are getting myopic at a younger age. This is a cause of concern as the earlier a child develops myopia, the higher the tendency of developing severe myopia later in life. Myopia should not be thought of as merely an inconvenience of having to wear spectacles, as severe myopia may lead to complications which may result in blindness.

Health Promotion Board launched the National Myopia Prevention Programme (NMPP) in August 2001 with the aim to prevent and reduce myopia progression as well as to delay the onset of myopia in the children. This is done mainly through public education and vision screening for children. HPB's Youth Health Division oversees the programme and plans various strategies to reach out to the public and schools about taking care of their eyes.

To learn more about taking care of your eyes, please refer to the FAQs on Myopia.

Eye Care Week 2008 
"Keep Myopia at Bay, Go Outdoors and Play!". Read about how to take care of our children's eyes from these guide books for Pre-schools and Primary schools.

 More information about the National Myopia Prevention Programme (NMPP) can be found at www.hpb.gov.sg/web/nmpp