“Ms. Soumya is a lively and enthusiastic 7-year-old who loves to read. Recently, however, her enjoyment of books has been affected by persistent headaches, and she’s been having trouble seeing the blackboard at school. Her parents were confused, as she had never mentioned having any problems before. After an eye exam, we found out that Ms. Soumya was suffering from nearsightedness.”
As an eye specialist, I frequently encounter cases similar to Soumya’s. Many children are unaware that their experiences, like blurry vision or eye strain, are not normal; they often assume it’s just a part of growing up. Meanwhile, parents might not recognize these signs until they begin to affect their child’s learning or daily life. It’s important to remember that 80% of a child’s learning relies on their vision. Consider the potential impact on their education, social growth, and self-esteem if these vision issues go unaddressed.
On October 10th, World Sight Day embraces the theme “Love Your Eyes, Kids,” emphasizing the vital importance of prioritizing children’s eye health from an early age. As the use of digital devices, especially smartphones, continues to rise, it is essential to take proactive steps to safeguard our children’s vision. As a parent or caregiver, you hold the key to instilling healthy habits that can impact their eye health for years to come.
Vision problems in children often go undetected because they may not know how to articulate their difficulties. Conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism, and amblyopia (lazy eye) require early detection for effective management or correction.
Currently, approximately 448 million children and adolescents worldwide suffer from refractive errors, with nearly 90 million living with vision loss. Unfortunately, many children remain undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness and limited access to care.
In my practice, I strongly encourage parents to schedule regular eye exams for their children. The first examination can occur as early as six months, followed by another at three years and just before school starts. These assessments are essential for identifying any vision issues early, as children’s eyesight develops quickly.
A significant concern for children’s eye health today is the rising amount of screen time. Many children spend hours on smartphones and tablets, leading to excessive exposure that can result in digital eye strain. This condition may manifest as headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty focusing after extended screen use.
Moreover, screens emit blue light, which can penetrate deeply into the eye and potentially harm the retina over time. While studies are still ongoing, experts generally agree that prolonged exposure to blue light can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to digital eye strain.
To address this, I recommend parents encourage their children to adopt the 20-20-20 rule: after every 20 minutes of screen time, they should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple strategy can help reduce eye strain significantly.
Schools play a crucial role in identifying early vision issues, and often, teachers are the first to notice when a child struggles to read the board or keep pace with their classmates. By collaborating with schools to prioritize eye health through regular screenings and awareness initiatives, we can create a supportive environment for early detection and treatment of vision problems.
Consider the case of Ms. Soumya. Her mother shared her experience, stating, “I had no idea my daughter was struggling to see until her teacher mentioned it. After her eye exam at ASG Eye Hospital, Goa, we found out she needed glasses and was diagnosed with nearsightedness. With the help of glasses, she can now see the board clearly, which has greatly helped her with reading. I’ll make sure to schedule regular eye check-ups for my child.”
ASG Eye Hospital has actively conducted eye screenings for over 1,000 students in the Benaulim constituency, demonstrating our commitment to advancing eye health and raising awareness within the community.
Prioritizing prevention is essential, especially for eye health. By instilling good eye care habits in children early on, we can help prevent more serious vision problems in the future. Protecting their eyesight today ensures they enjoy a higher quality of life as they grow older.
On this World Sight Day, let’s commit to protecting the vision of our future generations. Raising awareness about the importance of eye health is essential for ensuring children receive the care they need. By reducing screen time, encouraging outdoor activities, and scheduling regular eye exams, we can take simple yet powerful steps to prioritize children’s eye health. Together, we can create a supportive environment that promotes good vision habits and helps children thrive.
H. No.- 15/153/ A2, A3 & A4, Dr Jack de Sequeira Rd, above Audi Showroom, Caranzalem, Panaji, Goa 403002
+91-8875029933 | +91-8875029922
goa@asgeyehospital.com, info@asgeyehospital.com