Kids!
Page 16a | The RecoRd-Review
MaRCH 14, 2014
early detection, family history key for young eyes By TODD SLISS
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r. Dawn Rush periodically gets questions from parents of young children all wondering the same thing: are my child’s eyes in danger from modern viewing screens on electronic devices of all sizes? In most cases the question comes after a parent sees a news report on the topic. and those reports tend to pop up quite often. While Rush, who has a private practice in Yorktown Heights, eye Spy Optical, and an affiliation with Northern Westchester Hospital, among others, understands the concern about screens potentially causing myopia, also known as nearsightedness, she said there isn’t much to it on the surface. according to the american Optometric association (aOa), myopia is “a vision condition in which close objects are seen clearly, but objects farther away appear blurred. Nearsightedness occurs if the eyeball is too long or the cornea, the clear front cover of the eye, has too much curvature. as a result, the light entering the eye isn’t focused correctly and distant objects look blurred.” “I don’t necessarily think there are more kids than there were 20 years ago wearing glasses, but there’s better detection and there’s earlier screening,” Dr. Rush said. “There’s no scientific evidence that handheld devices or smart phones or DS games are causing kids to need glasses more.” Local eye care specialists will tell you to limit screen time for children — or staring at anything up close or for a long period of time — and to get kids playing or outdoors as much as possible, which will take large
amounts of unnecessary strain off the eyes. after all, natural light is better for the eyes. “as far as recommended use for electronic devices, the american academy of Pediatrics recommends limited use in the order of 1-2 hours per day total screen time for small children and it’s not because it’s visually harmful, but intellectually harmful,” Dr. Rush said. In other words, yes, it’s harmful for various reasons if your child spends too much time occupied by technology. Sharon Decker opened eye Designs of Westchester when she was 24 years old. That was 30 years ago. She now has locations in Scarsdale and armonk. “Constantly looking at screens of any type can damage your eyes over time,” Decker said. “More than anything, the idea of focusing on something so close for hours and hours can have long-term effects on your eyes. Whether it’s an iPad, an iPhone, video games or even a book, staring isn’t something you should get into the habit of doing. To keep your eyes healthy, we recommend giving
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your eyes breaks every 15 minutes, looking at something in the distance just to give your eyes a rest.” Dr. abraham Zlatin of eye Q Optometrist in Scarsdale and New York City noted that eye fatigue is common with digital viewing due to the strain of blue light on eyes. Blue light is more powerful than natural white light and is contained in many electronics that give off light. “Long hours of exposure to blue light may cause eyestrain, dry eye, headaches, vision discomfort and sleeplessness,” he said. On the contrary, blue light can help wake an adult up in the morning better than a cup of coffee. One way to counter blue light, according to Zlatin, is by using iBlucoat™, which he said, “is an anti-reflection coating specially developed to protect your eyes from harmful UV and blue light, improving contrast and reducing eye fatigue. iBlucoat™ lenses filter blue light to a high degree of efficiency from both the front and back reflected light.” Zlatin’s website, www.eyeqdr.com, has
information about advanced orthokeratology and myopia control. Dr. arlene Schwartz of Hartsdale Family eyecare has been working with children in her practice for many years, and said that “today myopia is increasing worldwide.” “Myopia has become worse over the span of one generation so that now over 40 percent of the population in the United Sates is myopic,” Schwartz said. She added, “after many years in practice I do believe that many children who do extended near activities often do have increase in the development of nearsightedness. It seems that heredity may also play a part, but another very important factor seems to be outdoor activity. The studies show that children who are outdoors more show less progression in myopia and I agree with this as well. Obviously when outdoors there is greater opportunity to do more distance activities but there is evidence that increased vitamin D may also play a part.” eye exams at an early age are paramount to dealing with myopia. “We know today that bifocal contact lenses are used successfully to slow myopia progression,” Schwartz said. “another contact lens treatment is orthokeratology contact lenses. Orthokeratology lenses are customized contact lenses which are worn each night and removed each morning. These lenses will also slow down myopia progression and are often the treatment of choice when myopia starts or if it progresses rapidly.” Researchers are studying the different percentages of myopia around the globe. acCONTINUeD ON THe NexT PAGe
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