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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh, in the Legislative Council today (November 22):

Question :

It has been reported that according to the findings of a survey, about 70% of the local residents aged 19 to 39 are short-sighted. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council whether :

(a) they know the present number of local residents who are short-sighted and their percentage in the total population of Hong Kong, and how this percentage compares to those in other countries and places;

(b) they have conducted any study to ascertain the factors contributing to such a high percentage of short-sighted persons in the local population; if so, of the details of such a study; and

(c) they plan to allocate more resources to educate the public (especially young persons) on how to avoid becoming short-sighted?

Answer :

Madam President,

(a) We do not compile a complete record of the number of local residents who suffer from myopia. Based on indicative statistics gathered from a number of studies, the prevalence of myopia in the local community is assessed to be as follows:-

Age Group                       Prevalence rate *
Age 7 - 11                             36%
Age 12 - 19                            59%
Age 19 - 39                            71%
Age 40 - 75                            30%

(* percentage of population in the age group)

According to data available to us, the prevalence of myopia in Hong Kong is probably comparable with Taiwan (12% in age 6, 56% in age 12, 76% in age 15 and 84% in age 16 - 18), Singapore (25% in age 7, 33% in age 9, 50% in age 12 and more than 80% in age 18) and Malaysia (37% for primary school children); but is higher than that in some western countries such as Australia (23% in adults).

(b) Studies worldwide have not been able to come to a definitive view on the causes of myopia. Some medical researches suggest that both genetic and environmental factors are associated with the onset and progression of myopia. Some studies have demonstrated that children of myopic parents are more prone to develop myopia and that Asians, e.g. Chinese and Japanese, have a much higher percentage of people with myopia compared with other ethnic groups. Environmental factors, e.g. closeup work arising from reading, television viewing and computer work, are also believed to be strong risk factors.

The positive associations between closeup work and the prevalence of myopia are borne out by studies conducted on the local population.

(c) The exact mode of interaction between environmental and genetic factors is not known. While there is no convincing or widely accepted method of preventing the onset or retarding the progression of myopia, health education and knowledge on eye care should be generally beneficial to the eyes. The Department of Health (DH) has been actively promoting health education on eye care, including the prevention of myopia, to all students and their parents attending its Student Health Service Centres, through the use of health education materials and provision of specific health advice for individuals, where relevant. The Department is making arrangements to expand its 24-hour telephone information service in early 2001 to include the topic of "Eye Care".

The DH is making plans to initiate a new adolescent health programme in 2001-02. Education on eye care will be one of the priority areas to be included in the programme.

End/Wednesday, November 22, 2000

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