Children 9-10 years at risk of lazy eye syndrome

Malaysian children around nine to 10 years are at risk of developing the lazy eye syndrome, which is a serious health issue.

The syndrome refers to blurred vision which cannot be corrected by wearing spectacles or contact lens or with surgery.

Perak World Sight Day 2014 organising committee chairman, Datuk Dr Jasvinder Singh said at present, 40 percent of children in that age group suffered from the syndrome.

"Among the causes of the lazy eye is when the child only uses one eye to focus or 'squints'," he told reporters after the launching ceremony of the Perak World Sight Day at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) here Friday by Raja Datuk Seri Yong Sofia Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah.

The global theme of World Sight Day this year is 'No More Avoidable Blindness'.

At the event, Raja Datuk Seri Yong Sofia presented spectacles to 10 senior citizens and 20 orphans from the An-Nur Maisarah and Budi Mulia Nurul Huda orphanages.

Dr Jasvinder, a specialist at HRPB, said eye examinations should be conducted on children from birth to prevent the lazy eye syndrome.