AN EYE OPENER FOR PARENTS (III)

FINDINGS

More than 1 in every 5 children have diminished vision ,less than 5%have vision problems bordering blindness .

96 % of those with diminished vision have refractive errors like near or far sightedness

52 % are not even aware that they have decreased vision .

64 %of children with vision problems do not use glasses (corrective lenses )because of parental ignorance .

Children with untreated eye problems are losing precious productive and schooling years.

TEENAGERS

Out of 834 teenagers in the study group ,28 % had diminished vision .

23%were unaware they had  vision issues .

24% of those with impaired vision were not using glasses(corrective lenses) at all .

57%were either undiagnosed ,untreated or under treated .

SUGGESTIONS

A child's eye should be checked at 6 months ,3 years ,and between 8 &9 years and 14 &16 years .

Encourage a vitamin -A rich diet comprising green leafy vegetables ,carrots ,drumstik(स्वान्जना की फली जिसमें बीज होतें हैं साम्भर में बहुत इस्तेमाल की जाती है ),beetroot (चुकंदर ),mango ,papaya ,etc.

Make sure children do not spend too much time on TV/videogames /mobile phones and their TV-watching posture is proper (TV Screen and eyes at the same level at proper distance depending upon the size of screen ).

Regular eye screening programmes should be introduced in schools .

NO SPECTACLES

Why children shy away from wearing glasses 

64% Parental apathy and ignorance .

17 %Parents not informed .

6%Teased by friends

5% Cosmetic blemish (लुक्स खराब होंगे ,लोग क्या कहेंगे ,मैं सुदर्शन नहीं रहूँगा ,सौन्दर्य पे आंच आ जायेगी ).

३%Glasses perceived to hamper outdoor activities ,broken glasses and financial constraints .(नजर के चश्मों को खेल कूद एवं अन्य बाहरी गतिविधियों में अड़चन मान लेने की गफलत ,आर्थिक तंगी या सीमाएं आदि ).

THE STUDY

Sample size 3581 schoolchildren aged 3- 17 years

Age        Screened             Decreased vision             %

3-4             160                             59                           37

5-8              1,286                       242                            19

9-12            1,3 02                      246                             19

13-17              834                      230                             28

TOTAL       3,581                       777                            22

THE STUDY WAS BY ADVANCED EYE HOSPITAL AND INSTITUTE ,NAVI MUMBAI

Reference :Kids averse to wearing glasses ,parental apathy makes it worse /THE TIMES OF INDIA ,MUMBAI ,APRIL 16 ,2013 /TIMES CITY /P2

   



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