Photo: Collected
Today is World Sight Day. The day is observed around the world on the second Thursday of October every year. The main aim of the day is to raise public awareness about the causes of blindness and vision loss, various eye diseases and eye care.
With the theme ‘Love your eyes’, the day is being observed in Bangladesh, as in other countries of the world, through various programmes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2.2 billion people in the world suffer from near or distance vision impairment. Among them, the vision impairment of at least 1 billion people could have been prevented or could have been addressed with the necessary treatment. The organisation said a large share of vision impairment can be prevented through timely detection and treatment.
Experts say excessive use of smartphones, tablets and computers among children and adolescents is creating a new risk to eye health. Looking at a screen for a long time can lead to problems such as eye strain, dry eyes, headache and blurred vision. The habit of looking at near objects for long periods and not spending enough time outdoors can also increase the risk of myopia in children.
Eye problems in children often go undetected at the beginning. If a child cannot see distant writing, squints to see, reads with a book or notebook held very close to the eyes, rubs the eyes repeatedly or complains of headache while reading, parents should take the matter seriously. An eye specialist should be consulted if necessary.
According to the WHO, uncorrected refractive error is one of the leading causes of vision impairment worldwide. Many problems such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and age-related presbyopia can be managed with proper spectacles and treatment.
Besides, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are important causes of vision loss. People with diabetes and high blood pressure in particular need to have their eyes examined regularly. Some diseases such as glaucoma can damage eyesight without notable symptoms at the early stage.
Experts have advised that children should not use screens continuously for long periods, should take regular breaks, study in adequate light and spend time outdoors in daylight. At the same time, they stressed encouraging children to take part in sports and physical activities.
To keep the eyes healthy, adequate sleep, nutritious food, control of diabetes and high blood pressure, and protecting the eyes from the risk of injury are also important. People working in hazardous environments at the workplace have been advised to use the necessary protective eyewear.
On the occasion of World Sight Day, experts said that along with seeking treatment when eye problems appear, the habit of having regular eye examinations needs to be developed. If vision problems in children can be detected quickly, their negative impact on the children’s education and normal development can be reduced.
They said it is not possible to stop the use of technology altogether; however, the extra strain on the eyes can be reduced through conscious and balanced use. Coordinated efforts by individuals, families, educational institutions and healthcare institutions are needed to reduce preventable blindness.
