As children prepare to return to school, parents are busy shopping for uniforms, books, stationery, and other essentials. While these preparations are important, one crucial aspect often gets overlooked: eye health. Clear vision plays a key role in a child’s learning, confidence, and overall development, making eye care an important part of every back-to-school checklist.
Myopia: A Growing Concern Among Children
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is one of the most common vision conditions affecting school-age children today. Children with myopia can see nearby objects clearly but may struggle to see distant objects such as the classroom board, presentation screens, or signs.
Over the years, experts have observed a rise in myopia among children. Increased screen exposure, prolonged near-work activities such as reading and writing, and reduced time spent outdoors are some of the factors associated with this trend. Since vision changes often occur gradually, many children may not realise they are experiencing blurry vision.
“Many parents assume that if their child is not complaining about their eyesight, their vision must be fine. However, children often adapt to vision changes and may not recognise that what they are seeing is not normal. Symptoms such as headaches, eye strain, difficulty concentrating, or declining academic performance can sometimes be linked to an underlying vision problem. A comprehensive eye examination before the school year begins can help detect issues early and ensure children have the visual support they need to learn confidently and comfortably,” says Dr Amod Nayak, Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospitals, Whitefield, Bengaluru
Signs Parents Should Watch For
Children may not always communicate vision-related difficulties, making it important for parents and teachers to recognise potential warning signs.
Common signs of myopia include:
- Squinting while looking at distant objects
- Sitting very close to the television
- Holding books or digital devices too close to the eyes
- Difficulty seeing the classroom board
- Complaints of blurry vision
Recognising these signs early can help ensure timely intervention and prevent vision issues from affecting a child’s learning experience.
Healthy Habits for Better Eye Health
Along with routine eye check-ups, simple lifestyle habits can help support children’s eye health.
Encourage Outdoor Activities
Spending time outdoors and engaging in physical activities can support healthy visual development while also benefiting overall health and well-being.
Manage Screen Time
Parents can help reduce digital eye strain by encouraging regular breaks, maintaining a comfortable viewing distance, and ensuring children use devices in well-lit environments.
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
A simple way to reduce eye strain is to follow the 20-20-20 rule:
- Every 20 minutes
- Look at something 20 feet away
- For at least 20 seconds
Dr Rahul Jain, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Dr Jain’s Eye Clinic, added, “As children return to classrooms and resume their daily learning routines, eye health should be given the same priority as books, uniforms, and other school essentials. Healthy visual habits established during childhood can have long-term benefits. Encouraging outdoor activities, balancing screen time, and scheduling routine eye examinations can go a long way in supporting healthy vision. Early detection and timely management of vision problems can help children perform better academically and contribute to their confidence, comfort, and overall quality of life.”
Make Eye Exams a Back-to-School Essential
A new academic year brings fresh opportunities for learning and growth. By making eye examinations a regular part of their back-to-school preparations, parents can help ensure that children have the clear vision they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
