My neighbor was worried for her seven-year-old son because he got failing grades in school and complained that he couldn’t see what was written on the board. I asked her if she had observed any signs of eye problems and suggested that she take him to his pediatrician. Consequently, the physician referred her to an eye doctor who diagnosed that the boy had myopia and couldn’t see things clearly from a distance.
My neighbor’s son is just one of the many cases of children in Singapore with a vision problem called myopia. In fact, the Singapore National Eye Centre reported that there have been increasing cases of myopia among children for the last 100 years or so.
Surveys show that myopia afflicts 25% of 7-year-olds, 33% of 9-year-olds, 50% of 12-year-olds, and more than 80% of 18-year-old males in Singapore. Likewise, Readers’ Digest Asia presented that “65 percent of children leaving primary school have myopia.”
Other studies outside of Singapore indicate that one out of four children experience eye and vision problems, such as amblyopia, strabismus, and binocular problems, yet these are left unidentified and untreated even before school age. As a result, the children experience learning difficulties in school, including an inability to see the board, difficulty in reading, and in interacting with others.
Based on these facts, there is a need for parents to be aware that they should take care of their child’s eyes even at a very young age. One crucial aspect of eye health that should not be overlooked is the role of nutrition, particularly Vitamin A.
The Importance of Vitamin A for Eye Health
Vitamin A is essential for maintaining good vision in children. It helps produce rhodopsin, a pigment in the retina that is critical for night vision. A deficiency in Vitamin A can lead to serious vision problems, including night blindness and other eye disorders. Including foods rich in Vitamin A in your child’s diet not only supports eye health but also enhances their overall well-being.
Benefits of Vitamin A
- Improves Vision: Vitamin A plays a key role in converting light into nerve signals in the retina, which is crucial for clear vision, especially in low light conditions.
- Supports Immune Function: A robust immune system is essential for children, and Vitamin A helps maintain the integrity of skin and mucosal cells, which act as barriers against infections.
- Promotes Healthy Growth and Development: Adequate Vitamin A is vital for the growth of cells and tissues, contributing to overall physical development in children.
Food Sources of Vitamin A
To ensure your child gets enough Vitamin A, include these foods in their diet:
- Carrots: Rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A.
- Sweet Potatoes: Another excellent source of beta-carotene.
- Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and collard greens are packed with Vitamin A.
- Fortified Dairy Products: Milk and yogurt that have added Vitamin A.
- Eggs: Provide both Vitamin A and other essential nutrients.
- Liver: A very rich source of preformed Vitamin A, though it should be consumed in moderation.
Regular Eye Check-ups
Ideally, eye screening should be done right after birth. However, if this is not possible, the Singapore National Eye Centre advises parents to take their child to a family doctor or government polyclinic for proper screening as early as six months of age for the first official eye check-up. A follow-up screening should be done when your child turns three years old, and a vision and eye alignment screening should be conducted at five years of age. After that, a regular visit to an eye doctor at least once every year or once every two years is recommended to monitor your child’s visual development. Regular vision screening is also important during the puberty stage. Early detection of vision problems will help prevent learning disabilities in children.
Important Tips for Daily Care
Regular eye check-ups should also be coupled with daily eye care. As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Here are some of the ways parents can take good care of their child’s eyes on a daily basis:
- Limit Screen Time: Limit your child’s exposure time to TV and computers. Being exposed to screens for long periods may strain the eyes. It’s advisable to allow your child no more than one to two hours of television or computer exposure daily. Implement 3 to 5-minute vision breaks after 30 to 40 minutes of reading or computer time.
- Maintain Proper Distance: Encourage your child to hold books or reading materials at least 48 centimeters away and sit at least 18-28 inches away from a computer monitor. Going beyond the recommended distance can strain the eyes.
- Incorporate Vitamin A: Ensure your child’s diet includes adequate Vitamin A to support their eye health. Foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and fortified dairy products are excellent sources of this crucial nutrient. This not only promotes good vision but also aids in overall health, which is vital for learning and development.
Watch Out for Signs or Symptoms
Observe whether your child is experiencing or complaining about any of these symptoms, which could indicate eye disorders:
- Cannot see objects at a distance
- Has difficulty reading the board
- Squints eyes when reading
- Holds book or reading material close to the eyes
- Sits too close to the television
- Complains of headaches or pain in the eyes
- Manifests poor eye/hand coordination
- Rubs eyes consistently or eyes appear inflamed or reddish
- Experiences tearing or redness without any known cause
- Complains of double vision, blurriness, or dizziness
- Manifests certain eye abnormalities
- Moves head or turns at unusual angles to see things
- Experiences cognitive development delays
If you see any of these signs and symptoms, take your child to the family doctor or an optometrist. If he or she detects a problem but is unable to find a solution, you will be referred to an ophthalmologist.
These recommendations can help any parent who wishes to take good care of their child’s eye health. Luckily, my neighbor’s son was diagnosed and treated early for myopia. He is no longer getting failing grades; instead, he has climbed to the top rank of his class. Good thing his mother was able to diagnose his problem in time.