Sunday, April 5, 2009

Hui Rong: beauty lies in the eye of the beholder

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, says Hui Rong on her blog.

How often that is said! But is it true? Well sometimes - but not always. Take blind people for example. As they can’t see, Hui Rong’s statement would mean they can’t appreciate beauty!

But they most definitely can.

And not the skin-deep superficial beauty of a sexy young woman but something much deeper - and in fact invisible to our eyes – the “inner beauty” of the human soul.

But perhaps that’s just as well for Singaporeans.

Because most people here can’t see very well. In fact, Singapore has one of the highest – if not the highest – rates of myopia in the world!!

According to the Singapore National Eye Centre:

Myopia is a rapidly worsening public health problem in Singapore. Surveys have indicated that myopia afflicts 25% of 7 year olds, 33% of 9 year olds, 50% of 12 year olds and more than 80% of 18 year old males in Singapore.

But why? What terrible thing have Singaporeans done to be cursed by the affliction of myopia – the inability to see clearly beyond one’s own nose? Some people think it’s because the parents are at fault for leaving the lights on at night when their babies were asleep. Others think it is due to environmental factors. And some even blame the Malaysians for “putting something in the drinking water” they send over here.

But whatever the reason, the opticians do good business in Singapore. And one of their customers? The lovely Hui Rong of course!

Why do I look so confused? Is it because I can’t see a thing?



Arr that’s better – I can see now!

Warning: it is important to stress that myopia is NOT reduced by avoiding the use of spectacles. On the contrary, in some cases, not wearing spectacles can lead to moodiness. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!


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