What can you do as a parent now?
Author: Jason Higginbotham
BSc (Hons) MCOptom Prof Cert Glau Prof Cert Med Ret Prof Cert LV FBDO MBCLA
What can you do now?
Get them outdoors! Many studies show that time outdoors has a strong protective effect against the onset of myopia.
Spend less time on smart phones, tablets, computers and even reading or doing homework (lots of cheering kids).
Increase the distance you hold smart phones, computers and reading from your eyes.
Improve the lighting in your child’s room, especially when performing near tasks.
Improve ventilation in your child’s room – this goes without saying for teenagers!
Improve sleep patterns. Studies are showing that better sleep patterns can have an effect on lowering rates of myopia
Longer breaks between reading, screens and writing. Also, engage in activities involving looking into the distance whenever possible. Use the 20/20/2 rule - for every 20 minutes of close work your child does, ask them to take a 20-second break looking into the distance and make sure your child spends at least 2 hours per day outside.