TY - JOUR
T1 - Trajectory of myopia prevention in Taiwanese schools
AU - Chang, Li Chun
AU - Wu, Pei Chang
AU - Niu, Yu-Chen
AU - Chen, Min Li
AU - Liao, Li Ling
PY - 2016/2/1
Y1 - 2016/2/1
N2 - Worsening vision among school-age children has been a topic of concern for Taiwanese education and healthcare authorities. Hence, clarifying schools' existing vision-care promotion strategies and their current difficulties has gained importance. This study systematically illustrates the trajectory of myopia prevention in schools based on an analysis of information on promotion of vision care polices in schools by Taiwan governmental units, including official documents, statistical data, and major research reports and surveys. This paper first presents the high prevalence rates of poor vision among school-age children across Taiwan. The measures adopted by governmental units to solve this problem since 1980 are summarized and categorized into five stages. After 2010, when schools began implementing an evidenced strategy of eye protection during outdoor activities, an improvement in poor vision among primary school children was observed. This paper further explores the nationwide phenomenon of insufficient and unevenly distributed ophthalmological medical resources that poses a significant challenge to controlling and preventing near-sightedness and blindness among school-age children. Finally, we suggest that the central government set up cross-departmental task forces to promote myopia prevention, effectively address difficulties in finding medical assistance for children's vision problems, establish a consensus on the importance of myopia prevention, integrate school and medical myopia case management, actively promote myopia prevention in local communities, conduct outreach through mass media, and educate parents. By ensuring cooperation between the central and local governments, as well as improving the health knowledge and ability of teachers, parents and children, the increasing prevalence of myopia in Taiwanese schoolchildren can be effectively contained.
AB - Worsening vision among school-age children has been a topic of concern for Taiwanese education and healthcare authorities. Hence, clarifying schools' existing vision-care promotion strategies and their current difficulties has gained importance. This study systematically illustrates the trajectory of myopia prevention in schools based on an analysis of information on promotion of vision care polices in schools by Taiwan governmental units, including official documents, statistical data, and major research reports and surveys. This paper first presents the high prevalence rates of poor vision among school-age children across Taiwan. The measures adopted by governmental units to solve this problem since 1980 are summarized and categorized into five stages. After 2010, when schools began implementing an evidenced strategy of eye protection during outdoor activities, an improvement in poor vision among primary school children was observed. This paper further explores the nationwide phenomenon of insufficient and unevenly distributed ophthalmological medical resources that poses a significant challenge to controlling and preventing near-sightedness and blindness among school-age children. Finally, we suggest that the central government set up cross-departmental task forces to promote myopia prevention, effectively address difficulties in finding medical assistance for children's vision problems, establish a consensus on the importance of myopia prevention, integrate school and medical myopia case management, actively promote myopia prevention in local communities, conduct outreach through mass media, and educate parents. By ensuring cooperation between the central and local governments, as well as improving the health knowledge and ability of teachers, parents and children, the increasing prevalence of myopia in Taiwanese schoolchildren can be effectively contained.
KW - Policy
KW - School
KW - Vision care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84971219374&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.6288/TJPH201635104051
DO - 10.6288/TJPH201635104051
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:84971219374
SN - 1023-2141
VL - 35
SP - 17
EP - 30
JO - Taiwan Journal of Public Health
JF - Taiwan Journal of Public Health
IS - 1
ER -