It’s often said that the ageing population will keep the profession busy in future, but that school of thought is looking rather one
dimensional.
Data from Scrivens Opticians showing that the number of 13 to 16-year-olds needing glasses has doubled in the past seven years (see 7 Days), with blame being placed at the door of excessive screen time, is concerning, but it isn’t surprising.
The rate at which myopia among children is diagnosed has doubled in a single generation and the World Health Organisation estimates there will be 60m short-sighted children under the age of 17 by 2050.
Warnings of a myopia crisis have loomed for some time, but the messages don’t seem to be sinking in with the public. Smartphone proficient toddlers are common and teenagers seem to be evolving with heightened physiological and mental dexterity that allows them to simultaneously type, speak, snap and ride a BMX.
Scrivens’ research showed that nearly three-quarters of parents found getting their children to cut down their screen time ‘challenging’. Addressing the issue has been taken out of parents’ hands in countries such as China, where a child’s screen time is regulated by the government.
Opticians have the chance to be at the forefront of public health knowledge and awareness around the issue of screen time, advising parents on the unseen risks of those excessive Peppa Pig YouTube compilations that keep kids quiet.
Unfortunately, it appears there will be bit of a job to do. Separate research from ABDO found that 33% of parents thought kids should have an eye test for the first time when they started school and one in seven parents thought children had to be at least five years old to have an eye test.
This issue needs to be high on the agenda for next month’s National Eye Health Week.
