{
  "id": 16431596,
  "title": "Penang CM warns against taking eyesight for granted amid rising screen time",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/penang-cm-warns-against-taking-eyesight-for-granted-amid-rising",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T04:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/lifestyles/128756/penang-cm-warns-against-taking-eyesight-for-granted-amid-rising-screen-time"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Penang's Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has cautioned residents to protect their eyesight by adhering to healthier screen-time practices and investing in preventive eye care. Warned that good vision should not be taken for granted, he urged the public to monitor their digital device usage, including through native screen-time tracking functionalities, to become more cognizant of their habits. Speaking at the World Sight Day 2026 event and the 100th anniversary commemoration of St Nicholas' Home at Queensbay Mall, Chow stressed the importance of prioritizing eye health as part of public healthcare, despite Malaysia's declining overall rate of vision impairment. He called for ongoing public awareness initiatives to motivate people to adopt preventive measures and seek suitable treatment for ocular conditions. This year’s theme, \"Love Your Eyes\", highlighted the invaluable nature of eyesight, necessitating proper care. As of September 10, 298,694 individuals had benefited from the Penang i-Sejahtera programme, with RM57.2 million allocated, 17,342 of whom were persons with disabilities receiving RM3.47 million in assistance. State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen highlighted St Nicholas' Home's century-long commitment to empowering visually impaired individuals to build confidence and lead fulfilling lives, making a substantial contribution to a more inclusive society.",
  "summary": "PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has urged residents to protect their eyesight through better screen-time habits and preventive care, warning that good vision should not be taken for granted. He said the public should monitor how much time they sp...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}