1. 10 myths about eye care t ...

10 myths about eye care that all parents should know

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Bhavna

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5 years ago

10 myths about eye care that all parents should know

In a day's work, I meet patients of all ages suffering from various vision problems. When it comes to children, I am especially concerned not just about treating the problem, but clearing the parents' misconceptions about eye care. This led me to writing this post about myths surrounding eye care that all parents should be aware of.

Here is a list of common misconceptions that, if addressed, may lead to happier and healthy children when it comes to their eyes-

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    1. Long hours in front of the computer, or holding a book too close, leads to poor vision, and ultimately spectacles. Activities such as reading, working on computers and watching TV have no proven role in causing poor vision and the need for spectacles. I cannot contest the fact that we need to limit our children's screen time for various reasons, but we cannot point it out as the reason for spectacles. There is no scientific proof that excessive screen time results in short sightedness.
    2. Prevalence of children with glasses has increased over previous generations This is a statement that I hear frequently especially, when a child is newly diagnosed with spectacles. One can hear grandparents complaining about the lifestyle of today's child, the burden of studies, the excessive screen time, poor diet especially in comparison with "their time". It is true that more children are wearing spectacles these days but that is only because of better detection rates with better access to healthcare. Amblyopia or "lazy eyes" happens when poor vision goes undetected during childhood. Most eye specialists agree that they see many elderly people who have lazy eyes that went undetected during their childhood. Again, I am not contesting the poor lifestyle of the current generation and its multiple harmful effects on health, but surely to assume that more children are now getting spectacles only because of that is not fair.
    3. If a child is standing too close to the TV, or holding a book too close, it will definitely lead to spectacles. This myth is simply about putting the cart before the horse and getting the cause and effect mixed up. A child who is unable to see the TV clearly from a distance is bound to come closer to the TV screen to have a good view. Andmore importantly, no child is born with perfect vision. The vision gradually improves over the first 5 - 7 years of the child. Another simpler fact that the parents may perhaps need to consider sometimes is that smaller children are attracted towards the bright colors on screen and prefer to be nearer to it.
    4. Harmful rays from the TV and other screens damage the eyes There are no significant electromagnetic radiations coming from the screens, that have harmful effect on the eyes. A normal eye blinks 12-15 times per minute and that reduces to as less as 2-3 times a minute while using a computer. The feeling of tiredness, grittiness and redness after prolonged computer or TV viewing is because of dryness of eyes induced by the reduced blinking while watching a screen. This dryness can be however countered easily by regular use of lubricating eye drops.
    5. Increased intake of carrots and other Vitamin A rich foods prevent and correct the need for spectacles: Vitamin A is absolutely essential for the health and functioning of eyes. It is an important component of the light sensitive chemical in the retina (the light sensitive structure at the back of the eye) Deficiency of Vitamin A in any age group can have significant deleterious effects and loss of vision, but overdose of these essential nutrients will NOT rid your child of the spectacles. These nutrients have no role in development of a power in the eyes.
    6. Minus power spectacles are for young people and plus power is for old people: Young people may require either minus powered spectacles (short sightedness or myopia) or plus powered glasses (long sightedness or hyperopia). These are like "zero" errors of a machine wherein the image is out of focus by a particular degree (the power of the spectacles). Once we put that particular lens in front of the eye, it focuses as any other normal eye for any distance. The plus power which is prescribed in older age (reading glasses) is because with age the eye loses its flexibility to "Change" the focus for objects at various distances. It is as if the autofocus of a camera gets jammed. Thus a person above 40 years of age requires bifocal spectacles (with 2 powers in the same glass) to compensate for this lack of flexibility
    7. Regular use of spectacles may ultimately result in reduction in the power: Regular use of glasses does not have any effect on the changes in "power of spectacles". The power changes with growth of the body along with concurrent changes in length of the eye. Regular use of glasses is important in children for the development of vision. And when I say "vision" I refer to the ability of the child to see well. When the child can see the smallest line on the vision chart at your doctor's eye clinic (with or without glasses), the child has 6/6 vision. If the child is not able to do so even with the best possible glasses, then the child has amblyopia or "lazy eyes" and that is a situation of concern.
    8. A child must use glasses while reading, but it is not as important during other activities: A child who needs glasses requires it all the time. In fact, children who are shortsighted, require it more for their ‘distance' activities rather than for near activities such as reading.
    9. Regular splashing of eyes with water is healthy for the eyes:A normal, healthy eye is always moist. A thin layer of tear film covers the entire eye, which is a complex mixture of proteins, antibodies, gel, salt and water secreted by your eye. This film protects the eye, cleans it and that, in turn, contributes to good vision. By washing the inside of the eye with water, we just remove away all the good things body secretes to protect it. Regular cleaning of eyelids and any discharge from the eyes is important as part of general hygiene. But regular cleaning of insides of the eyes with water as a therapy has no scientific basis and in fact, can have damaging effects.
    10. My child has been studying a lot for his final exams and feeling strain in the eyes. His power would have increased and needs a change of glasses: This is a common complaint of parents during the month of February and March. Prior to school exams is the worst time to get the power of glasses checked, as the eye muscles are overworked. A routine checkup during this time is bound to show a false increase in power. A period of rest post exams or a checkup with dilatation usually shows the real power. Getting an eye check-up is as important as any other health related consultation. This will help catch any problems in vision early on. Did this post help clearing any myths you may have heard about eye care? Tell us in the comments section!

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