Taiwan Ministry flags surge in myopia among elementary pupils
Ministry of Education data show that nearly half of Taiwan’s elementary students are now nearsighted, a rise linked to increased screen use.
The Ministry of Education disclosed that 45.13% of elementary-school children are nearsighted, marking a reversal of the pre-COVID downward trend. Kaohsiung’s education bureau recorded an even higher rate of 45.91%, surpassing the national average. Yen Min-su, director of the bureau’s physical education and healthcare division, attributed the increase to near-ubiquitous digital devices in classrooms and at home.
The bureau is seeking subsidies for eye-clinic visits, expanding vision-screening programs, and enforcing guidelines that require 10-minute eye breaks every 30 minutes of screen time and two hours of outdoor exposure daily. Ophthalmologist Hung Chi-ting highlighted Japan’s comprehensive approach, noting that early screening and strict screen-time rules have kept its myopia rate lower. Parents are urged to watch for signs such as squinting or frequent eye rubbing and to act promptly.
Why it matters
Rising myopia threatens children’s long-term health and learning, prompting urgent public-health action.
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