Prioritising child eye health: A call to action on 2024 World Sight Day

World Sight Day is an annual awareness day on the second Thursday of October each year.

This year, World Sight Day falls on Thursday, October 10, and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) leads and coordinates it under the Love Your Eyes Campaign banner.

Each year the IAPB selects a theme that the awareness day will be formed around and the 2024 theme is Prioritise Child Eye Health, thus putting children at the centre of the campaign.

This year’s campaign will highlight the importance of prioritising child eye health and give children everywhere the opportunity to love their eyes.

Each Year, the Ophthalmological Society of Ghana (OSG) partnering with the National Eye Care Unit (NECU) of the Ghana Health Services embarks on activities to create awareness on eliminating the main causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment.

The OSG is the professional body of Ophthalmologists consisting of 169 ophthalmologists and 61 resident doctors in different stages of their training whose aim is to improve the quality of Eye care through continuous professional education and advocacy.

The Eye Health team consists of Ophthalmologists, Ophthalmic nurses, Optometrists, and Opticians.

The magnitude of vision loss in children and adolescents

Globally, at least 450 million children have a sight condition that needs treatment, with 90 million children living with some form of sight loss. 448 million children and adolescents have refractive errors.

Refractive Errors refer to eye conditions that require glasses or contact lenses to correct them such as near-sightedness (myopia) or far-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. Uncorrected Refracture error is the leading cause of visual impairment in children.

Impact of vision loss on children and adolescents

Uncorrected visual impairment in children can severely impact their education, development, social skills, and future socio-economic potential and contribute to low self-esteem.

Good vision is essential for proper physical development and educational progress in growing children.

Children with vision loss in low and middle-income countries are up to five times less likely not to be in formal education. Research tells us that children with access to, and being prescribed spectacles can reduce failing rates by 44 per cent.

The uniqueness of a child’s eye

The child's eye is not merely a small or miniature adult eye. The visual system of the young child is not fully mature at birth.

Clear and equal input from both eyes is required for proper development of the visual centers in the brain, so if a growing child’s eye does not provide a clear, focused image to the developing brain, irreversible loss of vision in one or both eyes may result.

This poor vision is referred to as Ambylopia or ‘Lazy eye”.

Amblyopia is poor vision in an otherwise normal-appearing eye that occurs when the brain does not fully recognise the sight from that eye - with the resultant effect that the child is unable to see.

Treatment for Amblyopia becomes less effective with age, and if left untreated, amblyopia can cause irreversible visual loss. Thus early detection of eye diseases in children provides the best opportunity for effective treatment so that the child does not develop Amblyopia.

Causes of vision loss in children

The leading causes of blindness and moderate-severe vision impairment in children include, uncorrected refractive error, cataract, retinopathy of Prematurity (Eye disorder that may be seen in preterm babies), Congenital Ocular Anomalies including Cornea scarring and Cerebral Visual Impairment.

As we commemorate World Sight Day today, it is important to reflect on the critical role that eye health plays in shaping the future of our children.

As President of the Ophthalmology Society of Ghana, I want to draw attention to the urgency of prioritising children’s eye health reminding us that safeguarding vision is a lifelong commitment, beginning from childhood. Early intervention, education, and awareness can prevent the lifelong consequences of poor vision.

Regular eye screening: Catching or detecting problems early

Vision problems often go unnoticed in children, as they are unable to express or articulate their needs, leading to difficulties in school and daily activities. Regular eye screenings are crucial in identifying eye disorders early when they can still be corrected.

Schools, parents, and healthcare providers must collaborate to ensure that children undergo routine vision checks, ideally starting as early as preschool age.

Early detection of conditions such as refractive errors, amblyopia, and congenital cataracts can make all the difference in ensuring a child’s healthy vision development.

Reduced screen tme: Protecting young eyes

In today’s digital age, children are spending an unprecedented amount of time in front of screens, whether it’s for education or entertainment. Prolonged exposure to screens can lead to digital eye strain, blurred vision, and even the early onset of myopia (short-sightedness).

Though science is still uncovering the precise relationship between screen time, near work, and myopia (near-sightedness), research has shown though, that children who use screen hours for more than three hours per day are nearly four times more likely to develop myopia compared to those who limit screen time to one hour daily.

This negative effect is especially pronounced in younger children; six to seven year olds with high screen usage are five times more likely to become myopic or near-sighted.

Expert organisations have developed guidelines to help parents better understand the findings of scientific research.

The WHO's 2019 guidelines suggest no screen time at all for children before age 1 and very limited screen time for children for several years after that.

Wearing prescribed glasses without stigmatisation

One of the significant barriers to correcting vision problems in children is the stigma associated with wearing glasses. Many children resist wearing their prescribed glasses because they fear being teased by their peers.

As a society, we must normalize the use of glasses and educate children, parents, and teachers on the importance of corrective eyewear. Wearing glasses is not a sign of weakness but a responsible step toward ensuring clear vision and a better quality of life.

OSG will continue to advocate for programs that provide affordable glasses to school children and promote awareness about eye care.

Prevention of ocular trauma: Safety first

Children are naturally energetic and playful, but they are also prone to injuries, including eye trauma. Eye injuries can lead to irreversible damage if not treated immediately.

Parents and guardians must teach children about eye safety, especially during sports and outdoor activities. Protective eyewear should be encouraged in high-risk situations such as playing with sharp objects or using tools in school workshops.

Prevention of ocular trauma is key, and we must spread the message that safeguarding the eyes should be a priority.

Seeking timely medical help for eye diseases

Many eye conditions, if left untreated, can worsen over time. Parents should be vigilant and seek medical help promptly if they notice any signs of discomfort or vision problems in their children.

Redness, squinting, headaches, or complaints of blurry vision should never be ignored. Timely medical intervention can prevent serious complications and preserve vision. 

Conclusion

On this World Sight Day, let us pledge to protect our children’s vision. The future of our nation depends on their health, and good vision is a cornerstone of their development and education.

By prioritising regular screenings, reducing screen time, removing the stigma around wearing glasses, preventing ocular trauma, and seeking timely medical care, we can ensure that every child has the gift of sight to see their world clearly.

Let’s work together to make children’s eye health a priority in every home, school, and community across Ghana.

*The writer is the President, Ophthalmology Society of Ghana, a Pediatric Ophthalmologist,  Lions International Eye Centre @ the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Email:dziffabella@ofori-adjei.com