How to protect your kids from Myopia? Get them outside.
UV protection for the eyes is crucial for several reasons:
The amount of lumens (light output) varies significantly between outdoor and indoor. There is about 100 times more lumens outside than inside - which may explain why more kids who spend more time outdoors growing up are less likely to develop myopia.
Protecting children from myopia involves a combination of strategies that address both environmental and lifestyle factors. Here are some effective measures:
Encourage Outdoor Time: Encourage children to spend time outdoors, ideally at least 2 hours per day. Outdoor activities should involve looking at distant objects, such as playing sports or exploring nature. Outdoor light exposure has been associated with a reduced risk of myopia development.
Limit Screen Time: Reduce the amount of time children spend on screens, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs. Prolonged near work and screen time have been linked to an increased risk of myopia. Implement screen time guidelines and encourage breaks to rest their eyes.
Ensure Proper Lighting: Ensure that indoor spaces have adequate lighting, but avoid excessive brightness or glare. Good lighting can reduce strain on the eyes during near tasks.
Promote Healthy Habits: Encourage healthy habits such as maintaining a proper distance from screens (about arm's length), taking breaks from near work every 20 minutes to look into the distance, and blinking frequently to prevent dry eyes.
Regular Eye Check-ups: Schedule regular eye exams for children, even if they do not show signs of vision problems. Early detection of myopia or other vision issues allows for timely intervention.
Consider Myopia Control Options: For children at higher risk or already showing signs of myopia progression, consider myopia control treatments such as orthokeratology (corneal reshaping lenses), multifocal contact lenses, or atropine eye drops. These treatments can help slow down the progression of myopia.
Educate and Raise Awareness: Educate parents, teachers, and caregivers about the importance of eye health and the factors that contribute to myopia. Awareness can lead to proactive measures to protect children's vision.
Maintain Overall Health: Encourage a healthy lifestyle that includes balanced nutrition and regular physical activity. Good overall health supports healthy eye development.
By implementing these strategies, parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk of myopia in children and promote good eye health as they grow.