Lockdown screen time sees rise in short-sightedness among children

Optometrists across the country say they are diagnosing higher numbers of children with short-sightedness (myopia) since the start of the pandemic.

They put this down to less time spent outside due to Covid restrictions, more time spent on screens, and a drop-off in numbers of eye tests carried out during the pandemic.

The College of Optometrists is calling for parents to get kids playing outside for two hours a day, this is proven to prevent or stop the development of myopia; and to take their children for eye tests.

They're also asking for more funding for research in the UK population into the impact of the pandemic on children’s eyesight.

Fore more information: The NHS website: Eye tests for children

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