The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) Raises Awareness About the Myopia Epidemic Among Children and the Importance of Limiting Screen Time
The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) has launched a national campaign for Children Vision Month in October to raise awareness about myopia and the importance of annual eye exams for children. Myopia, affecting 30% of the population, is expected to increase to 50% by 2050. The campaign, supported by provincial optometrist associations and industry sponsors, aims to debunk myths and encourage early detection.
Key points:
- Myopia is a leading cause of vision loss globally
- Increased screen time is correlated with higher rates of myopia in children
- CAO recommends annual eye exams for children from 6-9 months to 19 years old
- Outdoor time may help delay myopia onset
- Limiting screen time and taking regular breaks are recommended
The campaign will run on various social media platforms throughout October, providing resources for parents to find local optometrists and take proactive steps for their children's eye health.
L'Associazione Canadese degli Ottici (CAO) ha lanciato una campagna nazionale per il Mese della Visione dei Bambini in ottobre per aumentare la consapevolezza riguardo la miopia e l'importanza degli esami oculari annuali per i bambini. La miopia, che colpisce il 30% della popolazione, è prevista in aumento fino al 50% entro il 2050. La campagna, supportata dalle associazioni provinciali degli ottici e da sponsor dell'industria, mira a sfatare miti ed incoraggiare la diagnosi precoce.
Punti chiave:
- La miopia è una delle principali cause di perdita della vista a livello globale
- L'aumento del tempo trascorso davanti allo schermo è correlato a tassi più elevati di miopia nei bambini
- La CAO raccomanda esami oculari annuali per bambini da 6 mesi a 19 anni
- Il tempo trascorso all'aperto può aiutare a ritardare l'insorgenza della miopia
- È consigliato limitare il tempo davanti allo schermo e fare pause regolari
La campagna sarà attiva su varie piattaforme social per tutto ottobre, fornendo risorse per i genitori per trovare ottici locali e prendere misure proattive per la salute oculare dei loro figli.
La Asociación Canadiense de Optometristas (CAO) ha lanzado una campaña nacional para el Mes de la Visión Infantil en octubre, con el objetivo de aumentar la conciencia sobre la miopía y la importancia de los exámenes oculares anuales para niños. La miopía, que afecta al 30% de la población, se espera que aumente al 50% para 2050. La campaña, respaldada por asociaciones provinciales de optometristas y patrocinadores de la industria, tiene como objetivo desmentir mitos y fomentar la detección temprana.
Puntos clave:
- La miopía es una de las principales causas de pérdida de visión a nivel mundial
- El aumento del tiempo de pantalla se correlaciona con tasas más altas de miopía en niños
- La CAO recomienda exámenes oculares anuales para niños de 6 meses a 19 años
- El tiempo al aire libre puede ayudar a retrasar la aparición de la miopía
- Se recomienda limitar el tiempo de pantalla y tomar descansos regulares
La campaña se desarrollará en varias plataformas de redes sociales a lo largo de octubre, proporcionando recursos para que los padres encuentren optometristas locales y tomen medidas proactivas para la salud ocular de sus hijos.
캐나다 검안사 협회(CAO)는 10월 어린이 시력 달리를 맞아 근시와 어린이를 위한 연례 안과 검사의 중요성에 대한 인식을 높이기 위한 전국 캠페인을 시작했습니다. 근시는 30%의 인구에 영향을 미치며, 2050년까지 50%로 증가할 것으로 예상됩니다. 주 검안사 협회와 산업 후원자들이 지원하는 이 캠페인은 신화를 불식시키고 조기 발견을 장려하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
주요 사항:
- 근시는 전 세계적으로 시력 손실의 주요 원인입니다
- 스크린 시간의 증가가 어린이의 근시 비율 상승과 관련이 있습니다
- CAO는 6개월에서 19세까지의 어린이를 위해 연례 안과 검사를 권장합니다
- 야외 활동이 근시 발병을 지연시킬 수 있습니다
- 스크린 시간을 제한하고 규칙적인 휴식을 취하는 것이 권장됩니다
이 캠페인은 10월 동안 다양한 소셜 미디어 플랫폼에서 진행되어, 부모가 지역 검안사를 찾고 자녀의 눈 건강을 위해 능동적인 조치를 취할 수 있도록 자원을 제공합니다.
L'Association canadienne des optométristes (CAO) a lancé une campagne nationale pour le Mois de la vision des enfants en octobre afin de sensibiliser à la myopie et à l'importance des examens oculaires annuels pour les enfants. La myopie, qui touche 30 % de la population, devrait augmenter jusqu'à 50 % d'ici 2050. La campagne, soutenue par des associations d'optométristes provinciales et des sponsors de l'industrie, vise à démystifier des idées reçues et à encourager le dépistage précoce.
Points clés :
- La myopie est une des principales causes de perte de vision dans le monde
- Une augmentation du temps d'écran est corrélée avec des taux plus élevés de myopie chez les enfants
- La CAO recommande des examens oculaires annuels pour les enfants de 6 mois à 19 ans
- Le temps passé à l'extérieur peut aider à retarder l'apparition de la myopie
- Il est conseillé de limiter le temps d'écran et de faire des pauses régulières
La campagne se déroulera sur diverses plateformes de réseaux sociaux tout au long du mois d'octobre, fournissant des ressources aux parents pour trouver des optométristes locaux et prendre des mesures proactives pour la santé visuelle de leurs enfants.
Der Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) hat eine nationale Kampagne für den Monat der Kindersehmedizin im Oktober ins Leben gerufen, um das Bewusstsein für Kurzsichtigkeit und die Bedeutung jährlicher Augenuntersuchungen für Kinder zu schärfen. Kurzsichtigkeit, die 30 % der Bevölkerung betrifft, wird bis 2050 voraussichtlich auf 50 % ansteigen. Die Kampagne, unterstützt von den provinziellen Verbänden der Optometristen und Industriepartnern, zielt darauf ab, Mythen zu entlarven und eine frühzeitige Erkennung zu fördern.
Wichtige Punkte:
- Kurzsichtigkeit ist eine der Hauptursachen für Sehverlust weltweit
- Der Anstieg der Bildschirmzeit korreliert mit höheren Raten von Kurzsichtigkeit bei Kindern
- Die CAO empfiehlt jährliche Augenuntersuchungen für Kinder im Alter von 6 Monaten bis 19 Jahren
- Zeit im Freien kann helfen, das Auftreten von Kurzsichtigkeit zu verzögern
- Es wird empfohlen, die Bildschirmzeit zu begrenzen und regelmäßige Pausen einzulegen
Die Kampagne wird im Oktober auf verschiedenen sozialen Medien aktiv sein und Ressourcen für Eltern bereitstellen, um lokale Optometristen zu finden und proaktive Schritte für die Augengesundheit ihrer Kinder zu unternehmen.
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This year again, the CAO and its partners are committed to debunking myths about myopia and encouraging annual eye exams for children to protect their sight from a younger age.
(Graphic: Business Wire)
Myopia is one of the leading causes of vision loss in the world1
As a visual condition currently affecting
By 2050, the prevalence of myopia is estimated to increase to
People with myopia will have trouble seeing distant objects, such as the road sign, whiteboard, movie screen and TV. Myopia has both a genetic and environmental component. However, increased near work and screen time are also correlated with higher rate of myopia in children. High myopia is associated with increased risk of sight threatening conditions like retinal detachments, cataracts, glaucoma and myopic maculopathy.
Protecting children’s sight
As the child grows, so do their eyes! Healthy vision is an important part of a child’s overall well-being, allowing them to succeed in their everyday activities in school and on the playing field. It has a fundamental impact on their learning and development.
However, children with vision problems are generally unaware of their condition, because they assume everyone sees the way they do.
Parents may also not realize their child has a vision problem, especially if the child seems to be functioning well in other areas. “It is important to remember that once myopia has progressed, the person’s vision won’t come back. You can slow — even potentially stop — progression, but not reverse or resolve it afterwards. This is why we need to focus on prevention and early detection,” says Dr. Spiro, President of the Canadian Association of Optometrists.
Making eye care routine
“It is crucial that children get a comprehensive eye exam annually. It is never too soon to see an optometrist,” continues Spiro.
The CAO recommends that parents schedule comprehensive eye exams for their children starting at six to nine months, then again between the ages of two and five years, and annually thereafter to age 19. After 19, eye development stabilizes, allowing check-ups every two years for healthy adults with no known eye conditions.
Annual eye exams are crucial, even if no symptoms are evident, to catch potential issues early and ensure timely intervention. The optometrist will perform tests to determine if there is a prescription for myopia, and the best treatment options to slow down the progress of myopia.
Beyond the exam room, parents and caregivers can maintain good habits to minimize the impact of myopia and protect their children’s sight. Studies have shown that an hour of outdoor time each day for children may help to delay the onset of myopia2,3. Remember to wear sunglasses and sunscreen while outdoors.
CAO also recommends limiting screen time. As they enter school, it may be challenging to limit screen time as their visual demand is increased with virtual schooling and electronic entertainment. Therefore, getting into a good habit of taking regular breaks from screens every 30-60 minutes helps relax their eyes. For all children, screen time is not recommended at least 1 hour before bedtime, to help with better sleep.
"Annual comprehensive eye exams are vital for helping children see brilliantly,” said Vanessa Johari Hansen, Country Business Unit Head, Vision Care, at Alcon Canada. “According to CAO and recent studies, the increased use of digital devices in schools and for entertainment is elevating concerns of digital eye strain and dry eyes4,5. At Alcon, we are committed to addressing these issues and promoting life-long eye health."
Get ready to see farther
Healthy vision is an important part of a child’s overall well-being, allowing them to succeed in their everyday activities in school and on the playing field. The national campaign prompts parents and caregivers to take proactive steps about children’s eye health and provides resources to find their local optometrist.
The campaign assets will run throughout October on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify in both official languages to raise awareness about childhood myopia.
“In the short term, myopia takes away from children their ability to fully participate in everyday life. Correcting it is only part of the battle since the condition can worsen as a child continues to grow,” said Enrique Contreras, Country Manager, CooperVision Canada. “As a global leader in myopia control and management for children, we are committed to providing solutions specifically developed to control that progression, which can significantly reduce the risk of myopia-related complications and vision loss later in life.”
To find more about the CAO campaign, please visit: https://opto.ca/get-ready-to-see-farther
Sources:
https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/challenges-children-vision-problems
https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/myopia-nearsightedness
https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/playing-outdoors-can-help-maintain-childrens-eyesight
About the Canadian Association of Optometrists
The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) is the national voice of optometry and is dedicated to providing leadership and support to its 8,300+ members to enhance the delivery of healthy eyes and clear vision for all Canadians. For more information, visit www.opto.ca.
About Alcon
Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.ca.
About CooperVision
CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (Nasdaq:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of contact lenses. The company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week and monthly soft contact lenses that feature advanced materials and optics, and premium rigid gas permeable lenses for orthokeratology and scleral designs. CooperVision has a strong heritage of addressing the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia, childhood myopia, and highly irregular corneas; and offers the most complete portfolio of spherical, toric, and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit https://coopervision.ca/.
About Sun Pharma Canada Inc.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited is growing its presence in
*Certain conditions apply depending on the medication.
1 Bourne RR, Stevens GA, White RA, Smith JL, Flaxman SR, Price H, et al. Causes of vision loss worldwide, 1990-2010: a systematic analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2013;1(6):e339-49. |
2 Guo Y et al. Outdoor jogging and myopia progression in school children from rural |
3 Xiong S et al. Time spent in outdoor activities in relation to myopia prevention and control: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Acta Ophthalmol. 2017;95(6):551-566. |
4 Sheppard AM et al. Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2018 3(1):e000146. |
5 Mohan A et al. Prevalence and risk factor assessment of digital eye strain among children using online e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: Digital eye strain among kids (DESK study-1). Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021;69(1):140-144. |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241001151104/en/
For media inquiries:
Julie Vanghelder, Director, Communications & Marketing, jvanghelder@opto.ca
Source: Canadian Association of Optometrists
FAQ
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