Each year about 45,000 Chinese lose their eyesight, while another 1.35 million become lazy eyes, according to statistics from the blindness prevention office of the Ministry of Health on Sunday, the International Day of the Blind.

By July, China has reported 12 million people handicapped with eye problems, including about 5 million blind people, said Professor Wang Lihua, vice director with the blindness prevention office in East China's Shandong Province.

Wang noted that pearl eye, glaucoma and cornea disease are likely to lead to blindness. The hurt of ultra-violet to one's lens was blamed for causing pearl eye. "People should reduce outdoor activities under the burning sun or wear sunglasses."

Besides, Wang suggests diabetes patients have regular check-ups for their eyes, children form good habit to read and write with right postures and people keep certain distance from televisions and computer screens.

Meanwhile, experts in southwest China's Sichuan Province are calling for enhancement of awareness to help the blind. "Please stay away from the special lane for blind pedestrians and volunteer them a hand when it is necessary," said Yang Zhixiao, an official with the association of the disabled in Chengdu, Sichuan's capital city.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2006)