The eyesight of students at Beijing's high schools is getting worse, according to health data released on Tuesday.

Roughly 96,000 youngsters who sat the senior high school entrance exam this year - 77 percent - have poor vision, with most shortsighted, according to physical checkups. That is 15 percent more than in 2009, show statistics from the capital's health bureau.

Concerns have also been raised among senior high school students. More than 76,000 of those put through their paces at the Beijing Physical Examination Center ahead of this year's gaokao, or college entrance exam, failed the eyesight test. The number represents an 8 percent rise on 2009.

"Wearing glasses is common among my classmates. I started wearing them four years ago," said Li Jia, 16, who studies at Beijing No 15 High School. "Most of us have been shortsighted since junior high, largely because we spend three hours on homework every day."

She added that although primary and high schools in Beijing encourage students to take part in 10-minute eye exercises twice a day, few of them take it seriously.

Students with poor vision are barred from studying certain majors at college, such as traditional Chinese sports, pilot training and criminal science.

Dr Li Yufang, who is in charge of student physical checkups at Chongwen district's School Healthcare Center, said most students suffer problems because they often strain their eyes.

"They read with books too close, while reading in bed is also bad," she told METRO. "Students have been educated to study to cope with academic pressure since primary school and spend less time on doing sport, which is necessary for their health. Teachers and parents should be aware that doing sports is no less important than study."

Dr Li advises students hold books 30 to 40 centimeters from the face when reading, as well as take at least 10 minutes every hour to rest their eyes. Eating foods rich in vitamins can also boost eyesight.

Beijing's health bureau launched its campaign on eyesight protection last year, asking all schools to carry out annual check and promote more health knowledge among youngsters.

China Daily

(China Daily 06/02/2011)