Stokey optician launches campaign for child eye health
- Jenna Fansa
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Local optician Ajay Patel has launched a campaign to raise awareness of how simple steps can help protect children’s eye health.
Ajay, who owns Askew Eyewear in Stoke Newington says he’s noticed more children presenting with myopia (near-sightedness), even when there’s no genetic link.
He said: “The environment that children’s eyes are exposed to may influence myopia development. I strongly believe this is the reason that caused the high level of myopia my daughter has, which developed during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Neither her mother nor I are myopes.
“I want to educate parents and their children about myopia, its development and how to reduce the likelihood of it developing.”
Myopia is an eye condition that blurs long distance vision, while short distance tasks like reading books are clear. And it can affect eye health in the long term – the greater the myopia, the greater the risk of sight threatening conditions, such as glaucoma and retinal detachment.
Ajay is urging families to follow three simple rules.
Spend time outdoors with children – spending at least 90 minutes per day in natural daylight can slow the onset and progression of myopia.
Take short breaks from screens and reading can help. After 20 minutes of screen time or reading, look 20 meters away for 20 seconds, whenever it’s practical.
Limit screentime for younger children (increased screen time on phones and tablets has been linked to myopia development).
There are also special lenses that can slow the progression of myopia.
Ajay added: “Common signs of myopia in young children include holding objects close to their face, sitting close to screens, showing little interest in recognition of objects in the distance, squinting or closing one eye to see better, frequent eye rubbing, excess blinking and watery eyes.”
All children aged under 16 are entitled to NHS-funded eye examinations in the UK.
Askew has also launched an art competition called ‘The Gift of Eyesight.’ Local children are encouraged to draw or paint a picture celebrating the gift of eyesight. Entries will be judged by professional artists at the Chocolate Factory and the winning designs will be printed on spectacle lens cleaning cloths, which will be sold at Askew in aid of Hackney Foodbank.
To enter, email your design to thegiftofeyesight@askeweyewear.com, including the name and age of the child (this will be printed on the lens cloth) by May 1st.
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