When it comes to exercise in Singapore, the 'eyes' have it
November 6, 1996
Web posted at: 2:50 p.m. EST (1950 GMT)
SINGAPORE (CNN) -- The Problem: Many Singaporean children
suffer from poor eyesight. The Solution? "Eye-robics".
Every morning before assembly, thousands of Singapore school
children stand in neat rows in the playground, rubbing and
rolling their eyes to music. Other students do the eye
exercises in classrooms.
It's the latest fad in Singapore and it's aimed at improving
eyesight.
Teachers say the daily exercises, which were introduced in
many schools across the island over the last few months, help
improve blood circulation, relax the eye muscles and reduce
eye strain.
At Bukit Merah Primary School, students mix eye-robics with
regular exercise, all done to the soothing sounds of music
and under the watchful eye of the principal, Chen Shao Chern.
"According to feedback from teachers and pupils, after
exercise they feel very good and relaxed. And they told us
they don't get tired so easily, I think this will help their
performance in the school because they can read for longer
hours," said Chen.
According to a recent study by the Ministry of Health, 30 to
50 percent of children in Singapore suffered some sort of eye
problem by age 12.
Reuters contributed to this report.
© 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
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