•Dr Priscilia Imade
We are rounding up this month’s discussion on children’s vision care with answers to some of the questions I received on the topic.
Good vision is a powerful foundation for a child’s success in school, play, and beyond.
Studies show that nearly 90 per cent of Nigerian school-age children have never had an eye test. This is worrying because up to 32 per cent of these children actually have eye problems including sore eyes, blurred vision, or more serious issues like short-sightedness, long-sightedness and eye infections.
Nationwide, about 3.9 per cent of children suffer from mild visual impairment, 2.7 per cent from moderate and 0.3 per cent from severe visual difficulties while 0.2 per cent are blind, largely due to cataract, corneal scars or optic nerve problems.
In some states, surveys found high percentages of children with visual impairment, mostly caused by refractive errors such as short or long-sightedness eye problems most often corrected with glasses.
As the new school year approaches, parents, teachers and caregivers must act now. Early eye checks can discover treatable conditions, boost confidence and learning, and help every child start school ready and bright.
20 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON GENERAL CHILDREN’S VISION CARE
1. What is children’s vision care?
Children’s vision care means checking and protecting the eyes of children to make sure they can see clearly, learn well, and grow up healthy.
2. Why is good vision important for children?
Good vision helps children read, write, play, and learn better in school. Poor vision can make learning difficult and affect their confidence.
3. How can parents know if their child has an eye problem?
Parents can watch for signs like frequent eye rubbing, squinting, sitting too close to the television, headaches, or holding books too close to their face.
4. At what age should a child have the first eye test?
A child should have an eye test at birth, again before starting primary school, and regularly every one to two years, or as advised by an eye doctor.
5. Can a child have an eye problem even if the eyes look normal?
Yes. Some vision problems do not show any signs on the outside. Only a proper eye test can confirm if a child’s eyes are healthy.
6. What are common eye problems in Nigerian children?
Common problems include short sightedness, long sightedness, lazy eye, crossed eyes, and eye infections.
7. Does too much television or phone use affect children’s eyes?
Yes. Spending too much time on screens can cause eye strain, headaches, and difficulty focusing. Parents should limit screen time and encourage outdoor play.
8. Can poor nutrition affect children’s eyesight?
Yes. Lack of vitamins, especially Vitamin A, can lead to poor vision or night blindness. Children need a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains.
9. What should schools do to protect children’s vision?
Schools should have regular eye screening programmes, provide good lighting in classrooms, and teach children to take care of their eyes.
10. What can parents do to keep their children’s eyes healthy?
Parents should schedule regular eye tests, provide healthy meals, reduce screen time and seek medical help quickly if any eye problem is noticed.
11. How does poor vision affect learning in children?
Poor vision can make it hard for children to read books, see the board in class or write correctly, leading to poor school performance.
12. Can vision problems be mistaken for laziness or slow learning?
Yes. Some children who struggle in school are thought to be lazy, but the real problem may be that they cannot see clearly.
13. What are signs of vision problems in school?
Children may avoid reading, complain of headaches, struggle with writing, or have falling grades.
14. Can fixing vision problems improve school performance?
Yes. Correcting vision problems helps children read better, focus in class and enjoy learning.
15. What role do teachers play in vision care?
Teachers can observe children closely, report signs of eye problems to parents and encourage regular eye tests.
16. Why should children have an eye test before school resumes?
An eye test ensures children start the school year with clear vision for reading, writing and learning.
17. How often should children’s eyes be tested?
At least once every one to two years, or as advised by an eye doctor.
18. What happens during a children’s eye examination?
The Optometrist checks how well the child can see, how the eyes move, and looks for any disease or infection.
19. Can an eye problem be corrected if found early?
Yes. Most eye problems, like poor sight or lazy eye, are easier to treat when found early.
20. Where can parents take their children for an eye test this August?
Parents can visit an eye clinic, hospital or vision care centre for a proper check before the new school term begins. Modern Eyecare Foundation is giving children free eye test this August before school resumes. Hurry now and book appointment for your children.
Finally, healthy eyes mean brighter futures. Parents, teachers and caregivers must work together to ensure no child is held back by poor vision.
*Dr Priscilia Imade is CEO, Modern Eye Clinic, Lagos. E-mail: moderneyecliniclagos@gmail.com
Another edition of the column returns on Monday in The Frontier.
