Speeches
SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MDDI & MOH, AT VISION BEYOND SIGHT: BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE FUTURE TOGETHER
25 October 2025
Professor Aung Tin, CEO, Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC)
Mr Greg Tan, CEO, SG Assist
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning
1. I am so happy to be joining you at today’s event, "Vision Beyond Sight: Building an Inclusive Future Together”. I am heartened that this event brings together participants from various sectors – healthcare, social services, technology, and the ageing and community partners, to raise awareness, promote collaboration and improve support for individuals living with visual impairment, as well as their caregivers and families.
2. Vision impairment means a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses and affects daily activities, and that ranges from mild vision impairment to total blindness. Depending on how severe the eye condition is, vision impairment can have lifelong consequences – from a child's education to career opportunities, to personal relationships, and even mental wellbeing.
3. I recognise that many individuals here today have personal experiences with vision loss. Some of you can only visualise from memory and previous encounters before the loss of good vision. Each of you and your caregivers are an inspiration to us because you show perseverance and resilience.
The Growing Challenge of Vision-related Conditions
4. Vision is one of our most vital senses, and safeguarding our vision is essential not only for individual wellbeing but also for the broader aim of public health. In the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study, blindness and vision loss were among the top 20 causes of years lived with disability. Visits for eye-related conditions at our public healthcare institutions have grown by 23% over the past decade.
5. As our population ages, we expect that the numbers of those with vision-related disorders will rise. We need our stakeholders to work together on our various efforts across the care continuum – from prevention, timely intervention to comprehensive community support.
Addressing Vision Loss: From Prevention to Community Integration
6. Based on the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study, an overwhelming majority of severe vision loss cases in Singapore are caused by cataracts, a treatable condition if detected early. Under-corrected refractive errors account for nearly half of visual impairment cases, indicating a significant gap in awareness about routine eye care and treatment[1]. Age-related macular degeneration is prevalent in ageing Asians and has a substantial impact on visual functioning and emotional well-being[2], while undiagnosed age-related eye diseases are particularly prevalent in our older adult population[3].
7. We have implemented comprehensive vision screening programmes to address the rising incidence of eye diseases, recognising that early detection and timely interventions are critical since many eye conditions are asymptomatic in their initial stages. For older adults aged 60 and above, Project Silver Screen was introduced in 2018 as a national community screening programme to enable early detection of major vision disorders such as cataract, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.
8. The National Myopia Prevention Programme was launched in 2001. It screens children from Kindergarten 1 to Primary 4 and combines annual vision screening for myopia with public education to encourage good eye habits and engage in outdoor activities. The programme also offers workshops with partners such as SNEC to equip parents with strategies to develop good eye care habits in their children, and collaborations with eyecare providers in the community on myopia prevention initiatives.
9. For patients requiring multidisciplinary management, the low vision clinics at the public hospitals’ Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOCs) have teams of ophthalmologists, optometrists, orthoptists, and occupational therapists working together to provide comprehensive care to meet the needs of patients.
10. Beyond clinical care, we must also ensure that persons with visual impairment are supported to live meaningfully. The Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) and Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) provide means-tested subsidies for eligible persons with disabilities and seniors respectively to obtain assistive technology devices to enable independent living in the community. Support is also available for persons with disabilities to enter and return to the workforce. This includes job matching and customised job support and additional support for those with acquired disabilities who are returning to work following their diagnosis or injury.
Building Inclusivity Through Partnership and Innovation
11. As we build a more inclusive and accessible society, I am heartened to know that one of the initiatives by SNEC is the introduction of the one-stop Low Vision Portal. This web portal, with a specially designed interface for persons with low vision, collates information from different websites for easy access.
12. Such initiatives demonstrate how organisations across sectors can rally together to foster inclusive practices that enable meaningful participation in work, education, and community life.
Closing
13. I would like to congratulate the SNEC, SG Assist, as well as the supporting partners, Gardens by the Bay, and other participating organisations for coming together and organising today’s meaningful event.
14. I would also like to congratulate the SNEC on its 35th anniversary, and am heartened to know that SNEC continues its mission of preventing blindness and improving sight through collaborative action and partnership with various stakeholders.
15. Your presence here today represents Singapore's strength – our ability to unite diverse sectors toward a common goal. Together, we will build an inclusive future where every individual with visual impairment can thrive with dignity and independence.
16. Today, we are blessed with beautiful weather and in a beautiful place. I wish you all a successful event. Thank you.
[1] Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study (Lim et al., 2023, American Journal of Ophthalmology)
[2] Vision-related Quality of Life Study (Vu et al., 2025, British Journal of Ophthalmology)
[3] Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study (Chua et al., 2017, PLOS ONE)