Nearly 43 % of children aged between two and a half to six years tested for a survey reportedly had eyesight problems.

These were the findings from the outcomes of a recently conducted eye screening where 1,723 students were examined between the nursery to senior KG levels conducted by Satellite School For Children (SSFC) and Bodakdev School For Children (BSFC). Following this, concerns have been raised about the eye health of preschool children.

Even as 43 per cent of children between the ages of two-and-a-half and six years have poor eyesight, atleast one-fifth of them had to be prescribed spectacles immediately. 

They found that excessive exposure to digital screens and a decrease in sunlight exposure are adversely impacting the eyesight of preschoolers.

The study attributed these numbers to three primary reasons. They said that children had insufficient outdoor activities and sunlight exposure, exposed to excessive screen time and rapid increase of indoor activities clubbed with limited access to nutritious food. This made poor eyesight prevalent among young children. 

Dr Nuti Shah, pediatric ophthalmologist and squint specialist who conducted the eye screening, explained, “A lack of outdoor activities and over-reliance on screens has led to blurred long-distance vision among these children. As we are heading towards a situation in which 50 per cent of the population will be myopic (minus number) by 2050, mandatory eye check-up for children at three years of age and annually thereafter by a pediatric ophthalmologist is recommended. Two hours of outdoor activity with proper exposure to sunlight, limiting screen time, and indoor activities are essential for maintaining your child’s eye health.”

SSFC and BSFC executive director Manan Choksi said, “By making parents aware of these scenarios, we aim to empower them to take corrective measures at the right stage to prevent further complications. Following last year’s eye-test findings, the school decided to collaborate with specialist paediatric ophthalmologists this year to ensure accurate and insightful results” he stated.

(With inputs from Indian Express)

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