Spanish children are the most used glasses throughout Europe
Periodic visual check-ups should begin at least 3 years old, the age at which the visual functions are established, a process that ends when the 6th birthday is reached. Therefore, it is very important to perform an annual optometric eye scan for children, especially at the beginning of each course. Certain visual health problems, such as myopia and astigmatism, are sometimes similar, producing for example a lack of concentration or an apparently unjustified nervousness.
Four out of ten children wear glasses
Routine checks, especially with 'back to school', are highly recommended to avoid problems of adaptation to school. These eye exams are necessary in the case of Spanish children especially, since they are the ones that need the most glasses in Europe according to the statistics. Specifically, 40 percent use graduation systems, exceeding the continental average, which is around 35 percent.
Specifically, 4 out of 10 Spanish children use them regularly, well above the European average, located at 34 percent. On the other hand, the majority of the parents - 52% - do not know that the visual problems not detected to their children, can lead to school failure and, nevertheless, the family, with 63%, continues being the main responsible in detect visual problems in children.
Five keys to children's visual ergonomics
It is also recommended that both at school and at home, when doing homework, five visual ergonomics keys are fulfilled that allow an adequate work, taking into account that they are spaces in which many hours pass throughout the week. These aspects include:
1. A homogeneous light distribution
2. An adequate posture between the chair and the desk, which ensures that the back is straight and forms a 90 ° angle with the legs
3. Sitting comfortably in a reading position, close to natural light -if possible- and with eyes not too far from the text
4. Always work on an inclined plane
5. There must not be strong contrasts between the environment and the texts
Marisol Nuevo Espín
Source: Multiópticas. Advice.White Paper of the Vision in Spain 2013, published by FEDAO, the Spanish Federation of Associations of the Optical Sector, the General Council of Optometrist Opticians, CNOO, and VISION AND LIFE, Eye Protection Campaign.
