We Keep Children’s Eyes in Focus

We Keep Children’s Eyes in Focus

We Keep Children's Eyes in Focus

Preventing the increase of myopia in children – spending just one hour outdoors helps children enormously.

A new study from the United Kingdom demonstrates the positive influence of time spent outdoors on the development of children’s eyes. Whereas reading for an extended period without interruption promotes the increase of myopia.

According to a recent study from the United Kingdom*, conducted over a period of 8 years with over 3,000 children, the effects of risk factors for myopia have been significantly underestimated in conventional analyses.

While genetics play an important role in the initial susceptibility and progression rate of myopia, modern lifestyle factors also appear to trigger or accelerate myopia. The study demonstrated that an additional hour of reading per day was associated with a shift toward myopia of −0.44 to −0.88 D.

On the other hand, an additional hour spent outdoors daily during childhood resulted in a shift toward hyperopia of +0.53 to +0.94 diopters (D). The development of myopia can therefore be inhibited.

Based on our extensive experience in myopia management, we additionally recommend using special eyeglass lenses or contact lenses for myopia control.

Kinder gehen zusammen im Freien

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* Estimating the True Effect of Lifestyle Risk Factors for Myopia: A Longitudinal Study of UK Children
Jeremy A. Guggenheim; Rosie Clark; Anna Pease; Peter S. Blair; Cathy Williams; on behalf of the UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium. Source ↗︎

Detecting vision deficiencies in children early

Detecting vision deficiencies in children early

Detecting vision deficiencies in children early

Good vision is crucial for academic success

Therefore, have your children’s visual acuity checked at our Centers for Good Vision!

Approximately 60 percent of all vision defects are detected too late. Optician Roman Wagner explains what you should know about your children’s eye health.

The new school year is beginning. Children’s attention is once again in higher demand.
However, children with poor vision find it difficult to follow lessons. They tire more quickly. A decline in performance and loss of motivation are the result.

Almost half of all children without an eye test

Nearsightedness often begins during school years and gradually increases. This is especially true if parents and grandparents are also nearsighted. Despite clear recommendations from specialists, about half of all children remain without a current eye test.

Regular eye examinations are essential

Children often cannot recognize vision problems themselves. Here, parents and guardians are required to act early.

If both parents are nearsighted, the children’s eyes should be examined annually; for students with normal vision, at least every three years.

To identify obvious vision problems, you can make an appointment for a visual acuity check at Roman Wagner’s Centers for Good Vision.

To detect more subtle vision problems, specialists recommend having children’s eyes examined by pediatric ophthalmologists or optometrists before they start school.

What parents can do – tips for healthy children’s eyes

  1. Have the eyes examined and tested by an ophthalmologist by the age of 3 at the latest, regardless of the screening
  2. During the school years, playfully check whether children can read distant license plates or signs at least as well as you can (ideally with each eye individually)
  3. Maintain a sufficient distance when reading and doing close-up work; 30 to 40 cm is recommended.
  4. Watch for signs of vision problems in your offspring: e.g., bumpy reading, problems catching a ball, or tiring quickly when crafting and painting.
  5. Encourage daily outdoor activities for at least two hours a day.
  6. Limit time on digital devices to two hours a day.
  7. If nearsightedness is detected, counteract it with myopia management. Special eyeglass lenses and contact lenses can slow down the progression.

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