CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who has worn glasses for about 50 years, has urged the public to take better care of their eyesight by limiting screen time and going for regular eye examinations.
Recalling his school days, Chow said he first realised he had eyesight problems when he was in Form Three or Form Four, after being seated at the back of the classroom and finding it difficult to see clearly.
“I have been wearing glasses for 50 years. This is one of the challenges we face when it comes to eye health,” he said.
Speaking at the World Sight Day 2026 celebration and the 100th anniversary of St. Nicholas’ Home, Penang, at Queensbay Mall today, Chow reminded the public to give their eyes a break from smartphones and pay attention to the amount of time they spend on their devices.
He noted that smartphones provide users with data on their daily screen time, which can help them become more aware of their usage habits.
“This is an issue we have to face, and hopefully we will not take it lightly. We can no longer take good eyesight for granted if we want to continue enjoying good vision and participating in the activities we do every day,” he said.
Chow also stressed the importance of awareness campaigns in encouraging people to take preventive measures and seek appropriate treatment for eye conditions.
“This awareness campaign is very important, and we hope the Ministry of Health, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other parties involved will continue working together to address this issue and ensure appropriate action is taken,” he said.
He said this year’s World Sight Day theme, “Love Your Eyes”, served as a reminder that eyesight was invaluable and required proper care.
Regular eye examinations and early detection were essential, he added, as some vision problems could be prevented or treated effectively.
Chow also called for greater efforts to build a caring and inclusive society that respected the rights, dignity and potential of persons with disabilities (OKU), including those with visual impairments.
He congratulated St. Nicholas’ Home, Penang, on reaching its 100th anniversary, acknowledging its century-long contribution to providing support, training and rehabilitation for people with visual impairments.
He expressed hope that the institution would continue strengthening its rehabilitation services and empowering people with visual impairments to realise their full potential.
Separately, Chow provided an update about the disbursement of the i-Sejahtera programme, whereby, as of Sept 10 this year, 298,694 recipients have benefitted from an allocation of RM57.20 million.
Out of this number, 17,342 are persons with disabilities (OKU), involving RM3.47 million in assistance.
Meanwhile, state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said St. Nicholas’ Home had played an important role over the past century in helping people with visual impairments develop their confidence, realise their potential and lead more independent lives.
He said the institution’s contribution was significant in building a more inclusive, caring and supportive society.
Gooi also commended the collaboration between St. Nicholas’ Home and the Penang Hospital Ophthalmology Department, describing it as a good example of how healthcare expertise and community organisations could work together to benefit the public.
“Good eyesight enables us to learn, work, move around more safely and enjoy life with our families and the wider community,” he said.
He urged the public not to wait until they experienced serious vision problems before seeking an eye examination, stressing that regular check-ups, early detection and appropriate treatment were crucial in reducing the risk of preventable or treatable vision loss.
He also encouraged families to pay particular attention to the eye health of children, senior citizens and those at higher risk of developing vision problems.
Gooi said access to eye health information, facilities and services should be ensured for all sections of society, including persons with disabilities and those facing difficulties obtaining treatment.
He called for closer and more strategic cooperation among government agencies, healthcare institutions and NGOs to expand public awareness and ensure more Penangites had access to eye health education, examinations and support.
Beyond healthcare, Gooi said society must also safeguard the rights, opportunities and participation of people with visual impairments, recognising their abilities, talents and potential.
“Our responsibility is not merely to help them overcome challenges, but also to create an environment that allows them to live with dignity and independence and participate actively in society,” he said.
He added that the message of “Love Your Eyes” should extend beyond personal eye care to include greater empathy and support for people living with visual impairments.
Gooi also congratulated St. Nicholas’ Home on its centenary, expressing hope that the organisation would continue empowering the community and championing a better quality of life for people with visual impairments.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhammad Iqbal Hamdan
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat