Your child’s eyes are a precious commodity! Yet a big increase in screen time in recent years, along with a lack of awareness on how best to care for children’s eyes, is impacting on eye health – and this in turn can affect many aspects of a child’s life, especially performance at school. Zachary Smith, optometrist at Midland Eye has some very helpful advice.
Published
Experts are warning that cases of myopia (shortsightedness) are growing, and the World Health Organisation is particularly worried about the rising number of cases in children and young people due to lifestyle-related risks – primarily screen time.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, children spent much less time outdoors and screentime rocketed. Although screentime after lockdown generally dropped from its pandemic peak, primary-school children continued to use their screens more than before as families found it a struggle to return to their old routines.
Researchers in Hong Kong found that 30 per cent of the children tested after the COVID-19 pandemic suffered from myopia, compared to just 12 per cent of the children tested before the pandemic – a staggering 2.5-fold increase in just a few short years.
The problem is that the human eye isn’t designed for endless hours of close-up focus, and children are particularly vulnerable as their eyes are still developing.
About 80 per cent of what we learn is acquired through what we see, so even a mild to moderate visual impairment can significantly hinder a child’s educational progress, social development and overall well-being.
Understanding eyesight
About 80 per cent of what we learn is acquired through what we see,
so even a mild to moderate visual impairment can significantly hinder a
child’s educational progress, social development and overall well-being.
It’s now thought that a large percentage of ‘learning difficulties’
could be due to vision impairments: 60 per cent of ‘problem learners’
may suffer from vision problems according to the Cooper Institute. And
some studies show that up to 40 per cent of students who have been
diagnosed with a learning disability are also suffering from an
undiagnosed visual impairment.
Vision problems can hinder a child's ability to read text on a board,
in books or on screens. This can lead to poor reading skills and a lack
of interest in reading activities. Handwriting and the ability to copy
text accurately can also be affected, so early detection and
intervention is crucial.
While many children in the UK are tested for vision issues in their
first year of school, where you live will dictate if your child is
tested or not. Many parents are left to arrange eye examinations
independently.
Reducing risks
When it comes to children, research suggests that playing outside for
at least two hours a day can significantly reduce the risk of
developing myopia. The natural light exposure and distant focusing give
developing eyes the variety they need.
When we (as adults or children) stare at a screen, we often forget to
blink. Our normal blink rate can drop by half during intense screen
use, leaving our eyes dry and irritated. So, it’s important to give our
eyes regular screen breaks using the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes
look at something 20 metres away for 20 seconds. Young children may need
some help with this, but it’s worth making the effort.
When it comes to children, research suggests that playing outside for at least two hours a day can significantly reduce the risk of developing myopia.
UV damage
Kids love being outside – but although sunny days are great,
prolonged exposure to sunshine can cause serious damage to our eyes,
just like our skin. Imagine getting sunburned, but on the delicate
tissues inside your eyes.
All that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage our eyes over time,
potentially leading to early-onset cataracts (clouding of our eye's
natural lens), macular degeneration (deterioration of our central
vision), and even cancers affecting the eyelids and surrounding tissues.
Research suggests that up to 50 per cent of the UV a 60-year-old has
been exposed to will have occurred before they were 20. So, make sure
you are protecting your children’s eyes with some quality sunglasses.
Look for pairs with 100 per cent UV protection and the CE mark. UV
protection matters even on cloudy days, as those rays easily penetrate
cloud cover.
Nutrition for eye health
Parents often spend a lot of time sneaking vegetables into pizza
sauces in an attempt to provide their children with the right nutrition,
and diet is just as important for eye health as it is for the rest of
the body. While good nutrition won’t stop hereditary conditions or
offset the damage from UV, it can help prevent and delay other
conditions from developing.
Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E are particularly important for
neutralising damaging free radicals before they can harm delicate
tissues. For maximum benefit, fill plates with colourful fruits and
vegetables – the more vibrant, the better.
Regular eye examinations
Adults should have an eye test at least every two years, while those
with diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, or anyone over 40 should
aim for annual check-ups. Children should have their first eye
examination before starting school to catch any issues that might
interfere with learning. But remember that many eye conditions develop
silently, with no symptoms until significant damage has occurred.
Regular check-ups can catch these issues.
And be sure to report any changes to your or your child’s optician
immediately – don’t wait for the next checkup. Changes in vision may be
nothing, or they may be early signs of a more serious issue. The earlier
eye conditions are caught, the easier and more effective treatment will
be.
Problems with pollen
Allergy to pollen, more commonly known as hay fever, can cause
numerous issues, from red itchy, watery eyes to eyelid swelling.
Although most cases of pollen allergy begin in childhood, it’s not
unheard of for patients to first experience symptoms in their twenties
or older. When these symptoms develop can depend on environmental
factors, such as the temperature, but also what plants/trees are
blooming (grass pollen or tree pollen can be particularly annoying).
Although rubbing your eyes when they itch can cause temporary
short-term relief, it will cause more swelling/inflammation and make
your symptoms worse. Trying to get children to understand this can pose a
challenge. Many people use over-the-counter allergy medication such as
antihistamines to help ease their symptoms, but some types can make you
drowsy and oral antihistamines can make your eyes dry.
So, if oral antihistamines aren’t working for you or you want to
avoid their side effects, you can use ocular lubricants or cold
compresses to provide some relief to your itchy eyes. If that doesn’t
help speak to your optometrist, pharmacy or GP who can give you
further help, such as prescribing anti-allergy eye drops that can
relieve your symptoms.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Zachary Smith is an optometrist at Midland Eye, a company founded by
four ophthalmic surgeons who wanted to provide patients with a
comprehensive, specialist service for the diagnosis and treatment of all
eye conditions. The team are leaders in their field and offer a
consultant-only service to all patients requiring eye care or surgery.
Every consultant is qualified to treat common eye conditions such as
cataracts, but each one also has a particular area of specialisation,
ensuring that patients get the best possible outcome. Private patients
can benefit from access to collaborative care and facilities with the
latest technology. The clinic’s approach is designed to be convenient
for people who lead busy lives and have limited time to seek medical
advice and treatment.
