Have you wondered whether your kids eyes develop normally or if they see well enough?

We are trying to deal with this new lifestyle,  where computers, TV and smartphones are some of the everyday challenges for the children’s vision. But, did you know that spending time outdoors is one of the best ways to protect their eyes?

Indoors and myopia

According to the results of the study published in British Journal of Ophthalmology last month, during the pandemic, the annual incidence of myopia in children increased more than twice compared to the pre-pandemic annual incidence.  The researchers also identified the main causes: during the restrictions,

  • outdoor time decreased by 68 percent,
  • and screen time increased 2.8-fold.

“When people think of consequences that this unprecedented level of quarantine has on physical and mental health, it is not initially obvious that children’s visual development is one of them,” said Dr. Jason C.S. Yam, an associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, one of the co-authors of the study.

 “An increase in outdoor time has been consistently shown by multiple studies in different countries to have a protective role against the development of myopia, and is a top priority among international recommendations for myopia control strategies,” Yam said.

 In “Significance of Outdoor Time for Myopia Prevention”, the authors explain why the outdoor time has a positive effect on myopia control.

  • The radiant intensity of sunlight peaks at a wavelength of about 550 nm, corresponding precisely to the peak in the sensitivity of the average human observer. The indoor illumination peaks at longer wavelengths and causes a situation similar to that of negative lenses in front of the eye, which stimulate the globe growth and the subsequent myopia.
  • Another reason is that outdoor light can induce the release of dopamine, which helps inhibit axial elongation, one of the myopia causes, and produces a protective effect for the eye.

On the other hand, eyes need to alternate watching nearby objects, in activities such as reading, writing or playing the computer, with focusing on distant objects. For example, gazing at birds flight might be a good  exercise for tired eyes.

In Taiwan, within a program, they increased schoolchildren’s outdoor time by 80 minutes per day. And myopia incidence started to fall after many years of increase, according to a study published last year – “Increased time outdoors is followed by reversal of the long-term trend to reduced visual acuity in Taiwan primary school students”.

Experts worldwide recommend less screen time and more time outdoors. At least 2 hours/ day. And one option to increase the outdoor time is to subscribe to outdoor learning classes. It’s easier to stick to a program once you have chosen one.

Of course, outdoor time is not a substitute for wearing glasses or follow the medical prescriptions. We have to pay attention to our children and address to the specialists whenever necessary. But when do we have to take our kids to the doctor?

Signs your child needs eyes examination

 If you see your child squinting, covering one eye with the hand, rubbing the eyes, if he falls often or he has frequent headaches, you’d better go to an ophthalmologist.

An yearly eye exam is recommended anyways, even in the absence of these signs. Especially if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with an ocular condition or vision disorder. Many ocular conditions are passed down through the gene pool, and in this case your child is at a higher risk of developing them as well.

There are many eye tests available online.  For example, The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) is developing new technologies to increase access to eye screenings, detect the early signs of eye disease and prevent vision loss. This includes the Easy Vision Test App, which calibrates testing distance using facial recognition technology to enable people to test their vision more accurately using mobile phone. It takes about two minutes to assess your visual acuity anywhere, even at home.

Take care of your child’s eyes, and also take care of your own eyes. Setting a good example for your child is a critical part of any successful plan.