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Get children outside to help prevent myopia

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Eye health experts are urging parents to get their kids outdoors more to stave off myopia or short-sightedness, which in its most severe form can lead to blindness.

In Australia myopia affects 20 per cent of the population.

And there’s some indication that “high myopia” is on the rise, says Kathryn Rose, the head of orthoptics at the University of Technology Sydney.

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“We’re noticing a rise in the level of high myopia, which is the problematic one,” says Professor Rose.

As there is only limited data available in Australia, further research needs to be done, she says.

“A lot of this is anecdotal, it’s coming from the ophthalmologists who are becoming more concerned about the rise of myopia in young children.

“The earlier children become myopic the more likely they are to end up being highly myopic, which carries quite a high risk of visual impairment and blindness.

“If we see that starting to go up we get very concerned.”

Environmental factors play a huge role in the development of myopia, she says.

“It’s clear that there are big environmental drivers in myopia because the prevalence rate in some countries has shot up over a matter of decades.

“While people used to think myopia was genetic, it’s quite clear from the rapid change that it can’t be genes, it has to be environmental factors.”

Countries with intensive education regimes, resulting in children spending less time outdoors, have higher rates of myopia, she says.

A recent study that compared Chinese children in Sydney with Chinese children in Singapore found that the Australia-based kids have lower levels of eye problems.

The level of myopia amongst the Sydney Chinese children was three per cent, compared to 29 per cent for those in Singapore.

In Australia the Chinese children spent around 13 hours a week outside, while in Singapore they were outdoors for around three hours.

“Myopia has nothing to do with ethnicity and has everything to do with lifestyle,” she says.

It’s recommended that children under six years of age should spend at least 10 hours a week outdoors to help prevent myopia.

LEADING EYE THERAPIST HANDAN OTAY SHARES TIPS FOR KEEPING EYES HEALTHY:

* Look into the distance
“Gazing off into distances further than six metres away relaxes the eyes.”

* Get outdoors
“Kids need to get outdoors so they’re relaxing their eyes and not concentrating on close activities all the time. It is recommended that they wear hats and sunglasses to prevent damage from UV radiation while still getting the benefit of sunlight.”

* Healthy eating
“A diet rich in betacarotene, found in carrots, omega-3, found in fish, and leafy green vegetables, which contain antioxidants, can help prevent eye problems.”

* Be eye aware
“Children with vision impairment may rub their eyes more often or have difficulty seeing things at night. They may also have hand-eye coordination issues and hold things closer to their faces. If any of these behaviours are consistent over time, seek assessment.

-AAP

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