According to new research, parents are rapidly confused about taking care of their children’s visions, even myopia rates in children continue to climb.
Experts have warned that the ratio of short -sighted children in Britain has doubled in the last half century, with estimates that half the population can be mapic by 2050.
This dangerous trend has been highlighted by optometry professor Bruce Evans, who visit City St. George and a professor at London South Bank University.
Despite the increasing awareness about the increasing prevalence of Myopia, a recent survey conducted by the parenting network Mamsnet reveals a significant difference in parents’ understanding of how to address the issue.
The survey shows that parents are often uncertain about the best course of action for their children’s vision. This uncertainty outlines the need for clear information and guidance for the parents who navigate the challenges of childhood myopia.
Dental tests reduced tests compared to eyes
Research, which was commissioned by the UK Optical Community-Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), College of Optometries and Optical Suppliers Association (OSA)-It was found that children’s trips for optometrist are less priority to their parents than dental visits-89% of parents’ trips.
In addition, one in 10 parents see no reason to take their child to the optometrist until an issue is concerned, and one in five parents do not know that school vision screening is not the same as full eye examination.
Professor Evans says, “Mamsnet survey indicates that there is some awareness among mothers that the ratio of children with Myopia in the UK has doubled, but what to do, less awareness about it, more time out time, and regular eye exams with an optometrist.”
And Rhiannon Evans, major of mumsnet communication, comments: “Parents know that eye health is important, but Mumsnet users tell us that they are often uncertain about how and when their children’s eyes are tested and when it is obtained -sometimes assuming the schools automatically take care of it.
“It is clear that there is a large amount of confusion around the health of the children’s eyes, and while dental check-up is a priority, eye tests are often not there.
“Our survey highlights how families will benefit from clear guidance around the health of children. Parents are required to give correct information to the parents to help protect their children’s vision.”
Annual eye test
The college of optometrys recommend that children below 16 years of age are tested every year, begin at the age of three (regular eye tests are presented to newborns and young children to identify any problem), as long as they do not have vision problems or they are united, in which they should be tested more often.
Children under 16 years of age, as well as in full-time education, get the cost of their eye test covered by NHS, at the age of 16–18 years. In these groups, children will also find a voucher towards the cost of a pair of glasses, which can cover the entire cost or be used to more expensive options.
Professor Evans says that short -sightedness, which usually begins after the age of five, is the most common problem to significantly affect the vision of children.
“One of the main causes of confusion is that many parents do not feel that there is not a child vision screening in all regions of the country,” they say, indicating that the screening usually occurs only once, at the age of four to five years.
“So, in most cases myopia will miss the vision screening,” he explains, saying that parents often do not realize that children do not always report poor vision and therefore require regular eye examinations with optometrist.
Struggle to see in class
The college of optometrist says that apart from social and educational problems caused by poor vision, there are less famous long -term aspects. Even low levels of Myopia inspire a person to a later serious occupy conditions, especially in relation to the retinal, cataract and cataract.
“Myopia means that the white board in the class will be blurred, so the children will struggle to see what the teacher writes,” says Professor Evans. “This will harm them and of course, their concentration in the classroom is unlikely to be good if they cannot see what the teacher’s writing is.
“Because myopia slowly comes, children may not feel that their vision is deteriorating.”
String out glasses
In the open comment section of the survey, a defendant said: “I work as a teaching assistant in a secondary school and always surprised the quantity of students that they complain that they cannot read the board, yet there is no glasses and has never been tested.
“Also, there are students who have glasses, but refuse to wear them in school.”
In fact, Evans suggests that wearing glasses is considered unqual, can be a barrier to cure children’s vision. “Parents also worry about the effect that wearing glasses or eye patches can lead to their child’s confidence or self-esteem.”
But Professor Evans says: “Venus, the days of standard NHS glasses have gone for a long time. Nowadays, NHS is through NHS funding vouchers for children’s glasses, so children can choose those glasses that they like and it helps to encourage wearing. For those children who do not like the glasses, contact lenses may be a good option.”
The survey found that most of the parents (85 percent) believe that limiting screen time is the best way to keep the vision of children healthy, followed by a lot of fruits and vegetables (69 percent) after eating, and the time out (57 percent).
And Professor Evans says that research suggests that there are many factors that can adversely affect the vision of children, including the lack of time, early educational pressure, and the use of smartphones, tablets, etc.
He says: “The Mamsnet survey revealed concerns about the smartphone, but low awareness about the importance of time. It is probably more important than the smartphone, and the parents should target for two hours a day and for outdoor times.
“It is also very close to avoid keeping the vision and perhaps applies to books in the form of smartphones and tablets.”
