VERI experts share eye care advice for World Sight Day 2024

General eye and vision protection

1. Look out for symptoms such as squinting, sitting too close to screens, frequent eye rubbing, complaints of headaches, eyestrain, and blurred vision. Avoiding reading, struggling to focus while reading, and difficulty with hand-eye coordination can also indicate a vision problem.

2. Excessive digital screen use is found to have adverse effects on eyes as well general well-being of children and adolescents.

Constant use of digital screens can lead to eyestrain – the most common symptoms of this are blurred vision, pain in the eyes, dry eyes and headache. Increased screen time leads to decreased outdoor activity, which is a risk factor for the onset of myopia (short-sightedness).

Limiting screen time and having a daily schedule for setting time for when devices can be used is beneficial for mitigating adverse outcomes.

3. Regular eye examinations are vital in restoring sight, correcting eye misalignments, and enhancing academic performance.

4. If your child has difficulty in distinguishing colour, their colour vision can be checked during an eye examination. Red-green colour deficiency is when a child cannot tell the difference between greens, browns, reds and oranges. It occurs in about 8% of boys. Colour deficiency is rare in girls.

5. If your child is prescribed glasses, it is important to ensure they wear them as advised by their optometrist. Failure to wear spectacles as directed by the optometrist can have negative implications on children’s vision and education.

Everyone under the age of 16, or 19 and in full-time education in the UK is entitled to a free NHS sight test carried out by an optometrist.

Reducing the risk of diabetic retinopathy

1. Children may be at risk of developing diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes, which occurs when sufficient insulin is not produced by the body. Type 2 diabetes, once rare in young people, is on the rise due to increasing rates of childhood obesity, poor diet, and lack of physical activity. Both types of diabetes can lead to long-term complications, including diabetic retinopathy, a condition where high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, potentially leading to vision loss.

2. Early diagnosis and management of diabetes are crucial to prevent complications like retinopathy, but without proper monitoring and control of blood sugar, children face the risk of this serious eye disease earlier in life.

3. You can help reduce the risk of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in your children by promoting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and encouraging regular physical activity.

If you'd like to know more about preventing diabetic retinopathy, take a look at one of our culturally and linguistically adapted diabetes education videos.

Reducing the risk of ocular trauma

1. Ocular trauma or injury to the eye can range from minor irritations to severe damage leading to vision loss. In children, common causes of ocular trauma include accidents during play, sports, or recreational activities, as well as exposure to harmful objects and substances like sharp toys or chemicals.

2. Preventing ocular trauma in children involves ensuring a safe environment by childproofing the home, and teaching children about the dangers of sharp objects and unsafe play.

3. Supervision and education on eye safety can significantly reduce the likelihood of ocular injuries in children.

If you would like further information on any of the topics discussed above, email [email protected]