(NAPSI)—The back-to-school season is a great time to check in on
your child’s sight. You may know that nearsightedness, or myopia, is a
condition where objects up close appear clearly, while objects far away
appear blurry. There is also evidence showing that myopia is on the rise.
Myopia is often diagnosed in children 8−12 years old and may worsen
during teen years. Students with myopia may have trouble seeing their teacher
and lessons at the front of the classroom. They may also find it difficult to
fully participate in sports and other activities that require seeing objects
clearly from a distance.
The National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health,
offers these tips to help.
Know the symptoms. Headaches,
eyestrain, squinting, and difficulty seeing distant objects are signs and
symptoms of myopia.
Encourage your kids to speak up.
Catching myopia early and introducing treatments—typically, eyeglasses
or contact lenses—can help make sure your child gets the most out of
school. Encourage your kids to speak up if they are having trouble seeing.
Ask your children if they can see the board clearly during class.
Get teachers and coaches involved.
Ask your child’s teachers and coaches about signs of myopia; for
example, if they’ve noticed your child squinting or struggling to see
things at a distance.
Spend time outdoors. There is
evidence that increasing time outside may reduce risk for myopia, but more
research is needed to understand the connection.
If your child is experiencing the symptoms of myopia, schedule an
appointment with an eye care professional.
For more information about myopia, visit https://nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/myopia,
and for fun eye health resources for kids, visit www.nei.nih.gov/kids.
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)