SEOUL, South Korea's exports fell 1 percent on-year in the first 20 days of January due to a smaller number of working days, data showed Monday. Outbound shipments reached US$33.3 billion in the Jan. 1-20 period, compared with $33.6 billion tallied a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. Imports fell 18.2 percent on-year to $35.9 billion during the period, resulting in a trade deficit of $2.6 billion. The number of working days came to 15.5 over the period, compared with 16 tallied a year earlier. The customs agency noted that considering the daily average volume, exports moved up 2.2 percent on-year during the period. By sector, exports of chips moved up 19.7 percent to reach $5.29 billion, with those of automobiles rising 2.6 percent to $3.47 billion. Those of petroleum products, on the other hand, shed 0.9 percent to $2.85 billion. Outbound shipments of steel products also moved down 7.4 percent to $2.46 billion. Exports of ships, meanwhile, shot up 89.8 percent to hit $1.92 billion, the data also showed. By destination, exports to China, the top trading partner of South Korea, edged up 0.1 percent over the period to $6.8 billion. Those to the United States advanced 3.6 percent to reach $6.18 billion. Exports to the European Union, on the other hand, fell 9.4 percent to $3.53 billion. In December, monthly exports advanced 5.1 percent on-year to $57.6 billion, rising for the third consecutive month. Source: Yonhap News Agency What are the most popular eye diseases in the elderly? How can they be noticed, prevented, and monitored? ?? Check with Professor Wutthikun Dr. Sakchai Wongsakittirak. Academic Chair Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand Elderly people and people over 60 years of age or after retirement will begin to have eye problems caused by deterioration from use. Common eye diseases in the elderly include farsightedness, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Farsightedness Presbyopia is most common after the age of 40-50 years. The ability to focus decreases. Is it necessary to hold the book further away or is it necessary to have presbyopia? It will make you able to see the letters again. cataract The most common and everyone It is the degeneration of the eye's lens where the clarity gradually decreases with age, causing the cornea's lens to appear cloudy and white like foggy glass. Everyone must have cataracts. that is, vision will become blurred and foggy Generally, it usually starts at the a ge of 60 and above. From 70-80 you need to undergo catalysis treatment and replace with a new intraocular lens before your vision will return. glaucoma A disease that is very important and dangerous in the elderly is glaucoma, which is the number 1 cause of blindness in Thai people and the world that cannot be corrected. need to be vigilant Because the patient may not be aware After reaching the age of 50-60 years, you should have your intraocular pressure measured. Because high intraocular pressure presses on the optic nerve, causing degeneration. It is necessary to go for screening by an ophthalmologist at least once a year. macular degeneration The retina is an organ that works quite hard. When we open our eyes, light comes into contact with the retina. We are always working while we are awake. After reaching the age of 70-80 years, our vision may deteriorate. and has distorted vision or see the picture distorted or see as if there is a black curtain covering some areas of vision It shows that there i s beginning to be a problem with macular degeneration. It is necessary to see an ophthalmologist immediately. In addition, for people with health problems such as diabetes. High blood pressure You should have your retina examined at least once a year in order to watch for complications that may occur in the eye area. Eye problems in the elderly Can it be treated? Most eye diseases, especially in the elderly, can be cured. or can return to normal Especially if you know from the beginning. If there are symptoms of abnormalities in the eyes, it is recommended that you should hurry to see an ophthalmologist for early diagnosis and treatment so that vision can return to normal. Therefore, the eyesight of the elderly should be tested regularly every 1 month or 2 weeks. The vision of both eyes should be tested by placing a calendar or letters at a distance of 6 meters (20 feet) as if traveling. See an ophthalmologist And test by covering each eye with your hand to see whether we can see equally clearly or not. If one eye sees less than the other eye It may be a warning sign of a disorder that may occur and it is necessary to see an ophthalmologist immediately for timely diagnosis and treatment. In the case of farsightedness or cataracts in the early stages Adjusting the environment appropriately, such as reading in a room with sufficient light. or using a mobile phone screen that is not too dark or too bright Meanwhile The light and brightness of the room in which the mobile phone or tablet is used should not be dark. It will help your ability to see up close better. and farsightedness problems can be reduced Including avoiding things that may cause more damage to the eyes, such as wind, dust, and bright sunlight or ultraviolet light. It will help slow down the deterioration of the eyes. It will be beneficial for the elderly to use their eyes correctly and prevent premature deterioration. Source: Thai News Agency