Lack of Lights Causes Eyesight Problems for One Third of Students in Hanoi

The number of students suffering from short-sightedness and other problems has reached 32.43% of total students in Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi as schools are do not ensure enough light for students, according to survey by the National Institute of Ophthalmology. The Ophthalmology surveyed 39 schools in the capital city and found that 20% of students in primary level have eyesight issues, 30% in secondary level, and 50% in high school level, the highest rate, have problems with their eyesight. A survey the Hanoi Medical University Hospital at the Dich Vong Secondary School in Cau Giay District showed that only 8 out of 35 examination points have sufficient lights for students’ eyes. This number can go down even more if the team applied standards of developed countries. Doctor Tran Dinh Bac, school lighting specialist of the National Institute for Labor Protection, said that neon lights are often used in schools due to their energy efficiency but these lights are not good if students have to spend long hours under them. In addition, Dr. Le Thanh Hai from the Ministry of Health attributed the eyesight problems to the varying light in a class, which forces children’s eyes to adjust constantly and make eyes tire quickly. Other than Hanoi, students in Ho Chi Minh City also suffer the same issue. The issue is much worse for gifted students, who are expected to spend longer hours doing homework and extra exercises. (Tien Phong – Pioneer Dec 2)