Relieve your child’s tired eyes, prioritize eye comfort With Signify’s EyeComfort lighting range

Did you know that Singapore is known as the ‘Myopic Capital of the World’? 

The prevalence of myopia here is among the highest in the world, with over 65 percent of children being myopic by the age of 12 and 83 percent of young adults suffering from near-sightedness. 

Myopia is a common vision disorder where people can see close objects clearly but objects farther away appear blurred. Also known as nearsightedness, it usually occurs between the ages of six to 14 years and continues to progress until 20.

By 2050, it is estimated that 80 to 90 percent of Singaporean adults above 18 years old will be myopic, with 15 to 25 percent of this group possibly developing high myopia. 

High myopia refers to severe short-sightedness of above 500 degrees. In some cases, high or even mild myopia can cause “lazy eye”, a condition also known as amblyopia. This causes a deterioration of a person’s vision even when there are no physical abnormalities in the eyes.

With high myopia, your child may be at risk of many eye disorders later in life including early cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Such complications frequently cause significant morbidity and could even be sight-threatening.

The continuous rise in patient numbers have raised concerns that visual impairment from high myopia will become a serious public health problem in the future. 

Image Source: Signify Singapore

The pandemic has probably fueled further concerns, as children now spend more time looking at screens of their computers during home-based online learning and of their mobile devices for entertainment. Prolonged exposure to digital screens can cause eye fatigue and discomfort which can have adverse effects on a child’s health, well-being and overall development.

The nationwide high myopia trend is so worrying that researchers from the Singapore National Eye Centre and Singapore Eye Research Institute have created an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to evaluate children at risk of developing such a disorder.

While myopia is often hereditary, the good news is there are several ways for parents to protect your child against this disorder and achieve better eye health.

#1 Take regular eye-breaks

One of the simplest ways to relieve tired eyes is by encouraging your child to take screen breaks every 20 to 30 minutes and focus on objects in the distance. This allows the eye muscles to relax and prevents eye fatigue.

#2 Create an eye-friendly environment

Image Source: Signify Singapore

Ensure that your child's study area is well-lit with good quality lighting. Insufficient or poor lighting can put extra strain on their eyes and cause discomfort so it is essential for parents to choose the correct LEDs for your homes. 

Take note that not all LED lights are created equal so make wise decisions when shopping for lights. Go for high quality ones like the Philips Lighting EyeComfort range whereby the lighting products are measured against a set of stringent criteria that directly impact the comfort of your child’s eyes including flicker, glare, stroboscopic effect, photobiological safety, dimmability, tuning and color rendering. Good lighting reduces unnecessary strain on the eyes, allowing for improved concentration while reading and studying, thereby minimizing the risks associated with eye fatigue. 

#3 Engage in outdoor activities to get close to nature

Spending time outdoors is not only good for your child’s overall well-being but helps alleviate eye strain. Natural light stimulates the eyes and relaxes the ciliary muscles responsible for focusing. Encourage your child to engage in outdoor activities like playing sports, walks, or hikes. This not only provides a much-needed break from screens but also promotes eye care.

#4 Bring in natural sunlight indoors to improve productivity

We are known as the indoor generation, as 90% of our time is spent indoors. With technological advancements, parents can transform your child’s indoor study or play areas into productive, inspiring, and relaxing spaces with lighting that replicates the view of the sun and sky. This boosts their energy levels while improving your child’s day-night rhythm to stay active in the day and rest well at night.

#5 Cultivate good eye hygiene

Teach your child good eye hygiene habits, such as not rubbing their eyes excessively and washing their hands regularly. This helps prevent eye infections and minimizes the risk of transmitting germs to their eyes. 

Remember that when left untreated, myopia will gradually worsen, making it more likely for your child to contract other vision disorders later in life. As it is a treatable condition, you can give the gift of vision to your child by taking proactive steps to protect their eye health.

Contributed by Signify S