2,200 elderly residents receive free eye screening on National Eye Care Day

Close to 2,200 elderly residents received free eye screenings on Saturday as part of the 14th National Eye Care Day. Organised by the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), the screenings were conducted at four eye centres island-wide. -- ST PHOT
Close to 2,200 elderly residents received free eye screenings on Saturday as part of the 14th National Eye Care Day. Organised by the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), the screenings were conducted at four eye centres island-wide. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

Close to 2,200 elderly residents received free eye screenings on Saturday as part of the 14th National Eye Care Day.

Organised by the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), the screenings were conducted at four eye centres island-wide. More than 600 children were also taught good eye care habits through games at a carnival themed "Alice in Wonderland - Through the Looking Glass" held at the SNEC.

The National Eye Care Day aims to promote public awareness of the common blinding conditions, such as glaucoma, and the importance of preventive eye care. Public talks on eye-related topics, exhibitions on common eye disorders and quizzes to address questions on eye care were part of the programme line-up.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was the guest of honour, said: "The basic message that we're spreading is healthy living also improves eyesight over time. The problem starts young and kids should not be spending too much time looking at little screens or books but spending time outdoors. Secondly, for the population at large, avoiding sugar intake and other diet problems that lead to diabetes is also important for our eyesight as we get older."

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