Children’s vision helps them to experience and explore the world around them. It is a crucial part of their development. If children have an uncorrected vision problem, it can affect their ability to learn and reach their highest potential.

Vision does not fully develop when a baby is born. Only when children are 18 months to 4 years old do vision problems in kids tend to emerge, and they are hard to detect because children are not aware that their vision is compromised because they have been seeing it that way and that is all they have ever known.

Here are some common vision problems in children:
 

1. Amblyopia (lazy eye)

This condition occurs when vision in one eye is reduced due to a communication error between the brain and the affected eyes.

The visual impairment from amblyopia can persist during adulthood if treatment has not been previously offered. This is because the brain has learned to ‘ignore’ or ‘suppress’ the images coming from the poorer eye. These deficits derive from the visual areas of the brain.

Treatment involves normalising the poorer eye (often with glasses and/or eye patching) and re-training the eyes and the brain to work in a normal way (often with orthoptic eye exercises, called vision therapy). The treatments are most successful for young children, but adults can also benefit from the vision therapy.

2. Myopia (Shortsightedness)

Occurs when the eyes are unable to focus clearly on objects that are far away. The image falls ‘in front’ of the retina when one looks at a distant object. This does not usually affect close-up vision except in high myopia.

3. Hyperopia (Longsightedness)

Occurs when the eyes are unable to focus clearly on objects that are close-up. It can also affect far-distance vision in some cases. The image falls ‘at the back’ of the retina when one looks at a near object, and it often makes it difficult for the eyes to focus.

4. Astigmatism

This condition occurs when the cornea has an irregular shape. It often occurs together with myopia or hyperopia, and it can result in blurred vision. Even without myopia or hyperopia, the astigmatic eye will not be able to focus sharply, and one might complain about glare or visual discomfort, particularly in poor lighting. It is often associated with headaches, dizziness, and eyestrain.

5. Strabismus (Crossed eyes)

Occurs when the two eyes turn in different directions. It can occur in a child or an adult. When one eye is aligned well, the other may turn in or out, up or down. This may be noticeable all the time, or it may be intermittent. It may be present soon after birth or appear at a later age. It may be due to a weak eye muscle or a nerve palsy. Some people get their eyes surgically realigned, while others may get ‘orthoptic’ eye exercises. The latter is also called vision therapy, and it often involves the use of prisms and a range of equipment to retrain the visual system.

Most of the time, vision problems are not obvious, making them hard to catch. The best way to catch the issues early is through vision screenings. Warning signs may include:

1. Eye rubbing
2. Tearing
3. Swelling
4. Redness
5. Pus
6. Crust
7. Sensitivity to light
8. Bulging or jiggly eyes
9. Droopy eyelids
10. White, yellow, or grey-white material in the pupil

If you notice any of these, or your child’s eyes are changing in any way, or you simply worry about their vision, do not wait longer; get that first vision test. It is always safe and better to catch when things are still in the early phase rather than the later phase.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Keep an Eye on Your Child’s Vision. https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/vision-health-children.html
2. IGARD. Common Eye and Vision Problems in Children. https://www.igard.com.sg/services/children/common-eye-and-vision-problems-in-children/
3. WebMD. Signs of Vision Problems in Young Kids. https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/features/child-eye-and-vision-problems

Living in today's digital world, the ubiquity of screens and gadgets is unavoidable. Individuals of all ages rely on screens for communication and daily tasks. However, excessive screen time, particularly for children, can have detrimental effects. Studies suggest that prolonged screen exposure can lead to behavioral issues, such as a lack of focus, and contribute to health problems, including obesity.
 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends specific screen time limits:

• No screen time for children under 2
• One hour per day for children aged 2 to 12
• Two hours per day for teenagers and adults

For teenagers, research indicates a correlation between excessive screen time and negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and reduced attention span.

To mitigate the risks associated with too much screen time, consider implementing the following tips for both children and families in general:

1. Open Communication with Your Family: Explain to your children the downsides of excessive screen time from an early age. Demonstrate alternative activities, such as playing board games, solving puzzles, coloring, painting, or developing new skills like riding a bike. For toddlers, model "pretend play" with toys, engaging in activities like running a restaurant or playing teacher and student. Older kids can explore outdoor activities or construct items, such as building with Lego.
2. Lead by Example: Parents should serve as positive role models by limiting their own screen time. Children often emulate their parents' behavior more than their words.
3. Establish Screen Time Limits: Enforce a household rule limiting screen time to a maximum of two hours per day. Consistency is key in maintaining these limits.
4. Transform Mealtime into Family Time: Turn off the TV during family meals to foster connection. Prohibit the use of phones during this time. Research indicates that families who share meals tend to consume more nutritious food, making prioritizing family mealtime crucial.
5. Avoid Using Screen Time as a Reward or Punishment: To foster a healthy relationship with screens, refrain from using screen time as a reward for good behavior. This practice can lead children to perceive screens as a "reward" for compliance, potentially reinforcing undesirable habits.

By implementing these strategies, parents can actively contribute to reducing screen time and promoting a healthier, more balanced lifestyle for their children and the entire family.

References

1. National Health Institute (NIH). National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Tips to reduce screen time. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/reduce-screen-time/tips-to-reduce-screen-time.htm
2. Mayo Clinic Health System. 6 Tips to reduce children’s screen time. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/6-tips-to-reduce-childrens-screen-time

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition that affects people over the age of 50. It is the leading cause of vision loss in older people. Individuals with AMD are not completely blind, but they are losing their central vision, making it difficult for them to see faces, read, drive, or do close-up work around the house such as cooking or fixing things. Individuals suffering from AMD are unable to see fine details, whether they are looking at something close or far away.

AMD progresses slowly in some people and quickly in others. AMD is a type of eye disease that causes blurring of the central vision of the eyes due to damage to the macula. The macula is a part of the retina that controls sharp, straight, and ahead vision.

Types of AMD

There are two types of AMD:

Dry AMD

The most common type of AMD, accounting for approximately 80% of all AMD. Dry AMD occurs when parts of the macula thin with age and tiny clumps of protein known as drusen form.

Wet AMD

A less common type of late AMD known as advance neovascular AMD causes faster vision loss. Wet AMD can develop at any stage of dry AMD, but it is always the late stage of AMD. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels develop in the back of the eye, causing damage to the macula. The good news is that there are treatment options for wet AMD.

Stages of AMD

Early dry AMD causes no symptoms.

Some people with intermediate dry AMD still have no symptoms. Others may experience mild symptoms such as mild blurriness in their central vision or difficulty seeing in low light.

Many people who have late AMD (both wet and dry type) have noticed that straight lines become wavy or crooked. People may also notice a blurry area near the center of their vision. This blurry vision may worsen over time, and people may notice blank spots.

Treatment for AMD

There is currently no treatment that can help AMD in its early stages. Individuals with a lot of drusen or severe vision loss, on the other hand, may benefit from a specific combination of nutritional supplements based on the National Eye Institute's (NEI) AREDS and AREDS 2 eye surveys (Age-Related Eye Disease Studies). Vitamins like C and E, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin, zinc, and copper.

Aside from that, the eye doctor will usually schedule follow-up appointments to monitor/track how the eyes are doing with regular eye exams. Consuming healthy foods, getting regular exercise, and quit smoking can all help prevent and improve eye problems.

In the advanced stages of AMD, an eye doctor will consult with individuals about the necessary treatment to slow the progression of the eye problem.

References

1.   National Eye Institute (NEI). Age related macular degeneration (AMD). https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration (Retrieved on January 5, 2023).

2.   American Academy of Ophtalmology (AAO). What is macular degeneration?   https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degeneration (Retrieved on January 5, 2023).

3.   National Health Services (NHS, UK). What is AMD? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/age-related-macular-degeneration-amd/ (Retrieved on January 5, 2023). 

Sunlight constitutes of red, orange, yellow, blue, indigo, and violet. When these colours combine, they form the white light that we see. Each of these colours has a different wavelength and energy level, with blue having a shorter wavelength and more energy and red having a longer wavelength and less energy. Light that appears white may contain more blue wavelengths. Sunlight is the most abundant source of blue light. Fluorescent lighting, LED lighting, flat-screen LED televisions, computer monitors, smart phones, and tablet screens are among the others.

Almost all visible blue light is absorbed by the cornea and lens before reaching the retina. This light could impair vision and prematurely age the eyes. According to preliminary research, excessive blue light exposure may cause (1) digital eyestrain (2) retinal damage.

At night, blue light, which appears to be beneficial during the day, appears to be the most disruptive. Blue light is beneficial during the day because it can improve attention, reaction times, and mood; however, with the proliferation of electronics with screens and energy efficient lighting, humans are constantly exposed to blue wavelength, particularly after sundown.

According to research, exposure to blue wavelengths after sundown affects the body's circadian rhythm, increase risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

A Harvard study found a possible link between light after sundown, the body's circadian rhythm, diabetes, and obesity. The researchers put ten people on a schedule that gradually shifted their circadian rhythm timing. Their blood sugar levels increase, putting them at risk of diabetes, and their leptin levels increase as well (a hormone that promotes feeling full after a meal, went down).

Another blue light study compared the effects of 6.5 hours of blue light exposure to exposure to green light of comparable brightness. Blue light suppressed melatonin about twice as much as green light during the same exposure period, which shifted circadian rhythms by twice as much (3 hours vs. 1.5 hours).

In conclusion, blue light after sundown can affect health in a variety of ways. While we need this to progress in this modern society, we can also make minor adjustments to make things work without jeopardizing health.

•        For night lights, use dim red lights because red light is less likely to disrupt the circadian rhythm and suppress melatonin.
•       Avoid looking at bright screens beginning two or three hours before sleep.
•       Consider wearing blue-blocking glasses at night if you work a night shift or use a lot of electronic devices.
•       Allow yourself to be exposed to a lot of bright light during the day, which will improve your ability to sleep at night as well as your mood and alertness during the day.

References

1.       Blue light has a dark side. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side (Retrieved on January 3, 2023).
2.       Seeing blue: How can blue light affect your health. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/blue-light-health (Retrieved on January 3, 2023).
3.       What is blue light. Prevent blindness. https://preventblindness.org/blue-light-and-your-eyes/ (Retrieved on January 3, 2023).   

As humans, we never truly appreciate our senses until we lose them. One of the many things we should be thankful for is our senses of smell, touch, sound, taste, and sight. Isn't it horrible to wake up one day and not be able to see, touch, hear sound, or smell?


Many people take their sense of sight for granted because they believe that vision problems can be corrected with the help of lenses or spectacles. People even take it lightly now that we have advanced technology, such as Lasik surgery, because they believe there is a cure. When, in fact, there are numerous health complications or conditions that can impair your ability to see, such as being diagnosed with diabetes. Isn't it terrifying?