PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
The Multi-Award-Winning NATIONAL MYOPIA WEEK is an initiative by MATANAND Welfare Foundation in association with the Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmological Society of India (SPOSI) to raise the awareness of MYOPIA as one of the major eye health issues around the world. Myopia, also referred to as short-sightedness is a visual defect that makes it difficult to see objects at a distance clearly or without the aid of glasses. Such a sight defect is often called as a “minus number” in relation to spectacle glasses.
Myopia appears early in childhood from the age of 5 and continues to progress until the age of 18. It is esimated that one out of four children and teens in India may have myopia. The prevalence of myopia has increased from 4% in 1999 to 25% today. Going by the current trend it is highly likely that by 2050 one out of every two children and teens may become myopic.
Adults with untreated and moderate to severe myopia that has progressed from childhood are at an increased risk of developing early cataract disease, glaucoma, retinal detachment and other serious vision threatening eye conditions. Also those with severe myopia are not well-suited for LASIK or other laser vision corrective refractive eye surgeries if they are needed. Myopia doesn't just affect a child's vision but could also impact their mental development, intellectual performance and social well-being.
Therefore, keeping myopia under control and reducing its progression right from an early age is key to preserving and protecting the vision of our children and giving them a better future. This week-long Myopia Awareness Campaign aims to educate the public on childhood myopia, its causes and how outdoor play and minimising screen time can both prevent and also slow down the progression of Myopia in our children. It’s also important that children’s eyes should be examined by an eye doctor atleast once a year as early diagnosis makes all the difference.
So tag #AllEyesonMyopia this #NationalMyopiaWeek and let's help our children see the real world.
WATCH THE PRESIDENT'S VIDEO MESSAGE BY CLICKING HERE
Nikkhil K Masurkar
MPharm (UK), MRPharmS (UK RPS)
President - MATANAND Welfare Foundation
MULTI-AWARD-WINNING
FOUNDING DOCTOR AMBASSADORS
Dr. Jitendra Jethani
Dr. Jitendra Jethani
Dr. Jitendra Jethani
Director, Baroda Children Eyecare and Squint Clinic
Vadodara (Gujarat)
Prof. Rohit Saxena
Dr. Jitendra Jethani
Dr. Jitendra Jethani
Professor & In-charge of Strabismus Services Dr. R.P. Centre, AIIMS
New Delhi
Dr. Mihir Kothari
Dr. Jitendra Jethani
Dr. Jaspreet Sukhija
Paediatric Ophthalmologist, Jyotirmay Eye Clinic
Thane (Maharashtra)
Dr. Jaspreet Sukhija
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Dr. Jaspreet Sukhija
Professor
Advanced Eye Centre, PGI
Chandigarh
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Senior Consultant (Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya
Guwahati (Assam)
Dr. P K Pandey
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Secretary, SPOSI
New Delhi
Dr. Pradeep Deshpande
Dr. Pradeep Deshpande
Dr. Pradeep Deshpande
President, SPOSI
Pune (Maharashtra)
What is Myopia?
Normal Vision is where both near and distant objects apppear normal
Normal Vision is where both near and distant objects apppear normal
Normal Vision is where both near and distant objects apppear normal
Myopic Vision is where distant objects appear blurred and unclear
Normal Vision is where both near and distant objects apppear normal
Normal Vision is where both near and distant objects apppear normal
Signs & Symptoms
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Eye Strain or Squinting
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Headaches
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Headaches
Why is your Child Myopic?
More Indoor Activities
More Indoor Activities
More Indoor Activities
Children who spend more time in near vision activities (reading, smartphone/tablet use, watching TV from nearby) appear to have a greater risk of myopia.
Hereditary Causes
More Indoor Activities
More Indoor Activities
If both parents are myopic, there is a greater chance that their children may also be myopic too.
How to Slow Down Myopia in your Child?
Regular Eye Tests
Regular Outdoor Play
Regular Outdoor Play
Children’s eyes to be tested by an eye doctor atleast once a year.
Regular Outdoor Play
Regular Outdoor Play
Regular Outdoor Play
Daily outdoor activities in the presence of sunlight
Restrict Screentime
Regular Outdoor Play
Adopt a Healthy Diet
Ensure children spend less time on smartphones, tablets and TV
Adopt a Healthy Diet
Regular Outdoor Play
Adopt a Healthy Diet
Feed them a balanced diet rich in vitamins & minerals
Digital Eye Wellness for Children
Screen Time Breaks
Screen Time Breaks
Screen Time Breaks
Take frequent breaks from digital screens using the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look away from your screen and look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a chance to reset and replenish themselves.
Screen Distance
Screen Time Breaks
Screen Time Breaks
Sit about 25 inches or at arm’s length from your computer or laptop screen and adjust its height so you’re looking slightly downward at it. Smaller digital devices such as a smartphone can be viewed from a distance from about 12 inches, smart watches from about 16 inches and tablets from about 20 inches.
Reduce Glare and Brightness
Reduce Glare and Brightness
Reduce Glare and Brightness
Digital devices with glass screens can cause glare. To reduce glare, consider a matte screen filter for your device. Adjusting the brightness and contrast of your screen and dimming the lighting near your screen can also help reduce digital eye strain. Always use digital devices in a well-lit room and NOT in the dark whilst making sure your digital device's brightness is similar to the light around you.
Screen Time Restrictions
Reduce Glare and Brightness
Reduce Glare and Brightness
No screen time is recommended for children under 2 years of age (except for video chatting accompanied with a parent). For children ages 2 to 5 no more than one hour of screen time per day is recommended. This allows more time for other activities emphasizing body movement and interactive play that are fundamental to a child’s physical and intellectual development.
An Initiative by
Supported by
