IPOH - Vision problems and refractive errors among primary school pupils are a growing concern, as many are unaware they are short-sighted until their learning in class is affected.
Consultant Eye Specialist and Surgeon at KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital Datuk Dr Jasvinder Singh said that based on a research article in the Journal of Optometry, Eye and Health Research by Clinical Research Centre medical officer at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) Datin Dr Harpreet Kaur, 91.6 per cent of 1,334 primary school pupils' eyes screened in the Kinta district were found to have refractive errors.
He highlighted that the study, titled "Universal Visual Screening for School Children: Is There a Need?", involving 667 pupils at six primary schools, showed that myopia recorded the highest prevalence at between 26 and 42.3 per cent, followed by hyperopia and astigmatism.
"It is very important to raise awareness among the public in Malaysia because many students in school do not know they have vision problems," he told reporters at the 2026 World Sight Day celebration organised by the Perak chapter of the Persatuan Kebajikan Amal Makmur (Perkam) here.
He said the lack of early intervention could cause these children to suffer permanent vision damage, such as lazy eye (amblyopia), by the time they reach 10 to 12 years of age, which would be difficult to reverse.
Dr Jasvinder pointed out that the rise in myopia among children is also driven by genetic factors, as well as excessive and uncontrolled screen time on gadgets and digital devices since the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said staring at smartphone and television screens at close range for prolonged periods makes it difficult for children's eye muscles to adjust to distant vision, contributing to the surge in myopia rates from nine percent at age seven to about 37 per cent by age 15.
"Usually we give these students spectacles or contact lenses so that their short-sightedness does not worsen," he said, explaining some of the measures taken to address the problem.
He also stressed the need for uniform vision screening in schools, in collaboration with the State Education Department, State Health Department and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
He cited existing screening initiatives driven by Perkam and Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sikh Perak, which include free spectacles sponsored by NGOs and discount offers through partnerships with optometry centres to ease the burden on low-income (B40) families.
In a related development, Dr Jasvinder said the Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sikh Perak also operates a mobile clinic that provides free eye screenings to rural communities such as those in Lenggong, Gerik and Bota.
He said the initiative, carried out through more than 200 free health camps, enables the early detection of critical cases such as glaucoma, high eye pressure, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy among residents living far from specialist care facilities.
He explained that patients requiring further treatment are referred to four government hospitals with ophthalmology expertise in the state: HRPB, Hospital Taiping, Hospital Teluk Intan and Hospital Seri Manjung.
Earlier, he attended an eye health screening programme to mark World Sight Day, themed "Love Your Eyes," at a shopping mall here to foster public awareness of eye care. - BERNAMA