According to statistics from the Vietnam Ophthalmology Association, currently there are about 5 million children nationwide suffering from refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, equivalent to 30-40% of school-age children. This situation is increasing at an alarming rate and becoming one of the prominent school health problems today.
In Hanoi, some surveys recorded that about 51% of students have refractive errors, of which nearsightedness accounts for 37.5%. This figure in Ho Chi Minh City is even higher, up to 75.6%, and nearsightedness alone accounts for 52.7%.
Sharing at the "Happy Children's Eye Examination Day" program organized by Dong Do Hospital, MSc. Dr. Dinh Thi Phuong Thuy - Director of Dong Do Hospital - said: If not detected and intervened early, refractive errors not only affect learning outcomes but also affect daily activities and increase the risk of amblyopia in children.
Many people still believe that nearsightedness mainly stems from reading books in low light conditions. However, current studies show that a more important cause is the change in the lifestyle of modern children.
According to Dr. Thuy, outdoor activity time plays a particularly important role in preventing nearsightedness. Previously, children often played outdoors, exposed to high-intensity sunlight. This type of natural light helps the retina secrete dopamine - a substance that has the effect of limiting the excessive development of the eyeball, thereby reducing the risk of nearsightedness.
Meanwhile, children today spend most of their time studying and having fun at home. Although lighting conditions have been significantly improved, artificial lighting still cannot completely replace the role of natural light in the healthy development of the eyes.
In addition, frequently looking closely while studying, reading books or using phones and tablets for a long time causes the eyes to regulate continuously. This prolonged condition can cause eye strain, leading to false nearsightedness and gradually progressing to real nearsightedness. Too much exposure to electronic screens also increases the risk of dry eyes and visual problems related to technology.
According to Dr. Thuy, artificial lighting, no matter how modern, cannot replace the role of natural light. Therefore, parents should encourage children to participate in outdoor activities and limit screen use time to protect vision.
Parents also need to build a reasonable diet, increase foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, omega-3 and lutein such as fish, eggs, dark green vegetables, carrots and fruits. Regular eye exams every 6 months will help detect abnormalities early and have timely intervention measures.
At the "Happy Children's Eye Examination Day" program, many young children were examined, screened for vision, consulted and refractive errors were detected. The program attracted more than 300 children and parents to register to participate. In the morning, a team of doctors and nurses performed vision examinations and screening for more than 200 children, along with 14 students and more than 10 parents and teachers from Pa Co commune, Phu Tho province.
