On Thursday, October 10th, we came together to celebrate World Sight Day. A global initiative that raises awareness about the importance of eye health. Coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), the day highlights that 1 billion people (1) worldwide live with preventable or untreated vision impairment. Many of these conditions, like cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors, can be addressed with proper eye care and timely interventions.
This year, the campaign focused on encouraging young people to prioritise their vision and take the steps needed to protect their eye health. IAPB developed several activities to support involvement in World Sight Day, including asking schools and organisations to participate in the Global Screening challenge to screen children’s vision. While parents and carers were encouraged to make a #LoveYourEyes pledge on behalf of a child.
Why is early eye care so important?
Vision is one of the most vital senses in a child’s early development. It’s estimated that 80% of all learning during a child’s first 12 years comes through the eyes (2). Yet, everyday millions of young people miss out on learning and social opportunities because of a vision issue that could be treated, corrected and often cured (3).
Eye health concerns among children are quickly rising as the digital age continues to advance. Prolonged exposure to screens, from smartphones to tablets, makes people more likely to develop conditions such as digital eye strain and myopia at a much earlier age than previous generations. According to new research, myopia among children and teenagers is set to top 740 million cases by 2050 (4). This statistic alone underscores the urgent need to focus on children’s eye health today to ensure a brighter future for tomorrow.
Encourage children to love their eyes
The big question for World Sight Day was, how can we, as leaders, educators, and parents, empower the next generation to love their eyes?
Just like children are taught from an early age to brush their teeth at least twice a day, teaching children daily habits that promote long-term eye health should be as much of a priority. These include:
- Limiting Screen Time: Children aged five to 16 spend an average of six and a half hours per day in front of a screen (5). Digital devices have become an important tool for education, so we know screen time cannot be removed completely. However, implementing screen breaks, ensuring proper lighting, and encouraging outdoor activities are practical steps that can reduce the risk of digital eye strain and myopia.
- Wearing Protective Eyewear: Whether your children are playing sports or spending time outdoors, protective eyewear can prevent injuries that may cause lasting damage. Come rain or shine, sunglasses with UV protection are particularly important for shielding young eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.
- Maintaining a Balanced Diet: Nutrition plays a crucial role in eye health. Teaching children the importance of eating a diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E, like fruits, vegetables, and fish can help preserve their eyesight for years to come.
Alongside these daily habits, scheduling children for routine eye exams is crucial. Early detection and treatment of vision issues can significantly reduce the impact of eye conditions later in their life. You may be asked if you have any concerns regarding your child’s vision at their 1- and 2-year health and development reviews, and an eye test can be organised if necessary. After that, every child should have an eye test once they have started school. This exam is so important because if a child has untreated vision problems it can affect their academic performance and social development. Following World Sight Day, it’s vital that parents, schools, and healthcare providers collaborate to ensure regular eye checks are part of a child’s healthcare routine.
How Employers Can Help
Employers can play a crucial role in supporting the initiatives set out by World Sight Day and the “Love Your Eyes” campaign.
Creating a workplace culture that prioritises eye wellness can help raise awareness and encourage healthy habits among employees and their families. This could include offering comprehensive vision care benefits, promoting regular eye health check-ups, and implementing wellness programmes focused on eye health.
A Vision for the Future
We all have the ability to ensure the next generation prioritises their eye health. From reducing screen time, ensuring good reading habits and protecting their eyes outdoors, small habits can make a big difference. By educating and inspiring young people to “Love Their Eyes,” we are not only preserving their vision for the future, but empowering them with the tools to lead fuller, more productive lives.
World Sight Day is an opportunity for all of us to commit to fostering a world where every child can see clearly. If you have any questions on eye care, please reach out to us at eyemed.uk/contact-us/.
- (1) International Agency Prevention of Blindness
- (2) The American Academy of Ophthalmology
- (3) International Agency Prevention of Blindness
- (4) Liang J, Pu Y, Chen J, et al Global prevalence, trend and projection of myopia in children and adolescents from 1990 to 2050: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis British Journal of Ophthalmology Published Online First: 24 September 2024. doi: 10.1136/bjo-2024-325427
- (5) Connected Kids, Childwise