Jump to full article: AsiaOne (sg), 2009-05-11
Author: The Straits Times
Intro: WE APPLAUD the Health Promotion Board's anti-smoking campaign this year, targeting youth and focusing on the many benefits of abstaining from smoking ('New theme to keep youth from smoking', April 29).
We are concerned about the increase in smoking prevalence from 12.6 per cent in 2004 to 13.6 per cent in 2007. In particular, smokers aged between 18 and 29 increased by about 5 percentage points over the same period to 17.2 per cent.
As eye-care professionals, we wish to highlight a novel health message that has not been sufficiently emphasised and exploited locally.
Cigarette smoking has been associated with two common sight-threatening disorders, namely age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract. . . .
We urge eye-care professionals to share this message with their clients and patients, and provide advice on quitting to smokers.
Dr Au Eong Kah Guan, Ophthalmologist
Miss Quah Hui Min, Optometrist, Singapore International Eye Cataract Retina Centre
Mr David Chong, President, Singapore Optometric Association
Mr Steve Lim, President, Singapore Opticianry Practitioners
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