Have Your Say

See beyond the problem of cataracts

I had never realised how serious cataracts are until we did a project at school.

I did not know anyone who had this eye disease, so I never thought it was a problem. I was so wrong.

Cataracts are one of the three most common causes of blindness in the world. This shocks me.

Cataracts are very often caused by ageing.

As you get older, the lenses in your eyes start to degenerate and become cloudy, letting less light pass into the eye. The image a person sees becomes blurred.

There is no medicine that can cure cataracts. Some medicine can slow down the 'clouding' effect of the lens, but that is all.

An operation to have a cataract removed is the only way to cure the problem.

It is easily done and the success rate is high: about 95 per cent of people make a full recovery.

So, don't worry, cataracts are bad, but at least there is a good chance of getting cured.

If you think you have one, remove it as soon as possible.

Sam Leung

Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Seek real equality

Can we really say that women enjoy equal status with men these days?

Absolutely not.

There is still discrimination against women even in the most developed countries.

People seem to think men are more capable at every level.

Once, I walked past a car accident and I heard somebody say: 'The driver is female. Women tremble when they drive and accidents always happen.'

This is a typical example. No one will ever question men's ability to drive, even though they cause accidents.

Career women in Hong Kong are an example of how women's status has improved, like Anson Chan, but that is not typical.

Many working women become housewives very quickly after they marry.

No man (or husband) wants to feel that his wife earns more than he does. But in this day and age, that is happening more and more.

Men do not want to have their wives working to support the family while they stay at home.

In many places, like mainland China, men are valued more highly than women.

And in countries like the Lebanon and Brunei, women are still treated as second-class citizens and don't even have voting rights.

So, let us women continue to fight for gender equality, so that in the future, we can make

our lives more meaningful every day.

TAM SZE-MAN

Methodist College

Friends for life

I'm writing in response to the letter 'Sometimes we all need a little help' (Young Post, July 15).

I was worried about my study too and needed to share my feelings with my friends.

They always solve my problems by encouraging me, giving me tutorials and support.

Friends offer help and love.

Friends matter more than grades at school and are a crucial part of our lives.

We are never alone because we have friends and family.

Friends are the best medicine for every condition.

They make me laugh when I am upset, they help me solve problems when I can't find the answers and they always show me love.

They surprise me on my birthdays and are always there for me.

A true friend is a partner for life.

YvonneNg

TWGHs Lui Yun Choy Memorial College

Once in a lifetime

Life can be hard and it is all about limits.

The times when best friends or our parents fight tests the limits of our trust.

When you fail exams you are challenged to try harder next time. You have one life, live it!

No one wants to worry about it, but everyone does, no one wants to fail, but people do.

But never worry about tomorrow today, enjoy every minute.

Laugh until you cry and tell your loved ones how much you love them.

Life is about limits, cross each and every one of them.

Be the person you want to, because you will only see this life once.

Bharisha Mirpuri

HKMA David Li Kwok Po College

Study over looks

Nowadays, most teenagers are very conscious about their appearance.

When they see friends change their hair, they follow suit.

Teenagers think looking good helps them make friends.

I'm happy with my appearance. As long as I look neat and tidy, that is enough.

But some of my classmates are too conscious about their looks and always hold a mirror in front of themselves in class.

This is a childish and foolish thing to do - sacrificing their studies for looks.

Appearance can wait but studies cannot. Try using your time to learn more and read more instead of stationing yourselves in front of the mirror.

Harriet Hui

Sacred Heart Canossian College