Ophthalmologist suggests 5 habits to protect children’s eyesight: Eat carrots, play outdoor games and more

Also read: Eye surgeon recommends 5 important nutrients to prevent myopia in children: carrots, chia seeds, pumpkin and more

This is alarming, as evidenced by the rapid increase in the number of children requiring glasses. a study A study published in the Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology found that children between the ages of 11 and 15 account for 50 percent of cases. Progression means that myopia gets worse, which means that your vision improves. So not only are children getting glasses, but their prescriptions are also increasing.

To understand how parents can protect their children’s vision, HT Lifestyle got in touch with Dr. Swathi Pinnamaneni, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Phacous Ultrasound Surgeon at MaxiVision Super Specialty Eye Hospitals. she also admitted that Children of school age suffer from myopia. “ExcessiveScreen time and lack of outdoor activities are having a major impact on children’s eye health,” ophthalmologists have identified as one of the main reasons behind the surge in myopia patients.

“If this trend continues, by 2050 almost 50% of Indian children “They may face a condition called myopia, which not only hinders their academic performance but also increases the risk of serious eye diseases later in life,” she warned, stressing the need for urgent measures to protect children’s vision. It also highlights the serious public health burden that will arise if appropriate measures are not taken today. Furthermore, the effects of myopia not only affect vision problems such as distant objects becoming blurry, but also affect school performance, affecting learning and concentration.

American Academy of Ophthalmology It states that people with severe myopia are at increased risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye diseases. This means that if your child’s vision continues to deteriorate, he or she may face serious eye diseases in the future.

Here are 5 tips for parents shared by Dr. Pinnamaneni:

1. Encourage exposure to natural light.

• Exposure to natural light for at least 2 hours every day can effectively reduce the abnormal elongation of the eyeballs.
• Dopamine, released by the retina in response to natural light, plays an important role in slowing the progression of myopia, ensuring optimal eye development, and maintaining overall eye health.

2. Promote balanced visual tasks.

• Avoid concentrating on one task, near or far, for long periods of time. Children should be encouraged to participate in activities that require both near and far vision, such as outdoor games.
• These activities not only strengthen extraocular muscles, but also restore natural accommodation and support healthy visual development.

3. Maintain proper viewing ergonomics.

• Place reading and writing materials 35 to 40 cm away from your eyes, with the top of the page or screen slightly below eye level.
• Poor posture and downward gaze can increase accommodative demands and cause eye strain (eye strain).

4. Nutrition for vision:

• Make sure your diet includes foods rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin A, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. These are found in spinach, carrots, legumes, and walnuts.
• These nutrients are essential for improving macular pigment density, supporting retinal metabolism, and maintaining tear film integrity, helping to prevent both oxidative damage and dryness of the retina.

5. Plan a comprehensive eye exam annually.

• Starting at age 5, children should have an eye exam once a year, including a cycloplegic refraction and a thorough retinal evaluation.
• Early detection of refractive errors, binocular imbalance, or strabismus can prevent amblyopia and reduce the risk of progressive myopia.

At the end of the day, it’s important to note that good eyesight comes from a combination of healthy habits that have become blurred in today’s digital-first era, such as getting outdoors. Other habits such as maintaining good posture, regular eye exams, and eating a healthy diet can also help protect your child’s vision. Reduces the risk of myopia progression.

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified or endorses this claim.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.