CAMPAIGN AMBASSADORS
Dr. Jitendra Jethani
Dr. Jaspreet Sukhija
Dr. Jitendra Jethani
Director, Baroda Children Eyecare and squint clinic,
Vadodara (Gujarat)
Prof. Rohit Saxena
Dr. Jaspreet Sukhija
Dr. Jitendra Jethani
Professor & In charge of Strabismus services at Dr. R.P. Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi
Dr. Mihir Kothari
Dr. Jaspreet Sukhija
Dr. Jaspreet Sukhija
Paediatric Ophthalmologist, Jyotirmay Eye Clinic,
Thane (Maharashtra)
Dr. Jaspreet Sukhija
Dr. Jaspreet Sukhija
Dr. Jaspreet Sukhija
Professor
Advanced Eye Centre, PGI
Chandigarh (Punjab)
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Senior Consultant (Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya,
Guwahati (Assam)
Dr. P K Pandey
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Secretary, SPOSI
Delhi
Dr. Pradeep Deshpande
Dr. Damaris Magdalene
Dr. Pradeep Deshpande
President, SPOSI
Pune (Maharashtra)
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
NATIONAL MYOPIA WEEK is an initiative by MATANAND Foundation in association with the Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmological Society of India (SPOSI) to raise the awareness of MYOPIA as one of the major eye health issues around the world. Myopia, also referred to as short-sightedness is a visual defect that makes it difficult to see objects at a distance clearly or without the aid of glasses. Such a sight defect is often called as a “minus number” in relation to spectacle glasses.
Myopia appears early in childhood from the age of 5 and continues to progress until the age of 18. As per a study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 1 out of 6 children in India between the ages of 5-15 years have myopia. Adults with untreated and moderate to severe myopia that has progressed from childhood are at an increased risk of developing early cataract disease, glaucoma, retinal detachment and other serious vision threatening eye conditions. Also those with severe myopia are not well-suited for LASIK or other laser vision corrective refractive eye surgeries if they are needed.
Therefore, keeping myopia under control and reducing its progression right from an early age is key to preserving and protecting the vision of our children and giving them a better future. This week-long Myopia Awareness Campaign aims to educate the public on childhood myopia, its causes and how outdoor play and minimising screen time can both prevent and also slow down the progression of Myopia in our children. It’s also important that children’s eyes should be examined by an eye doctor atleast once a year as early diagnosis makes all the difference.
So tag #MoreGreenLessScreen this #NationalMyopiaWeek and let's help our children see the real world.
Nikkhil K Masurkar
MPharm (UK), MRPharmS (UK RPS)
President - MATANAND Foundation
What is Myopia?
Normal Vision is where both near and distant objects apppear normal
Normal Vision is where both near and distant objects apppear normal
Normal Vision is where both near and distant objects apppear normal
Myopic Vision is where distant objects appear blurred and unclear
Normal Vision is where both near and distant objects apppear normal
Normal Vision is where both near and distant objects apppear normal
Signs & Symptoms
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Eye Strain or Squinting
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Headaches
Distant Objects appearing Blurry
Headaches
Why is your Child Myopic?
More Indoor Activities
More Indoor Activities
More Indoor Activities
Children who spend more time in near vision activities (reading, smartphone/tablet use, watching TV from nearby) appear to have a greater risk of myopia.
Hereditary Causes
More Indoor Activities
More Indoor Activities
If both parents are myopic, there is a greater chance that their children may also be myopic too.
How to Slow Down Myopia in your Child?
Regular Eye Tests
Regular Outdoor Play
Regular Outdoor Play
Children’s eyes to be tested by an eye doctor atleast once a year.
Regular Outdoor Play
Regular Outdoor Play
Regular Outdoor Play
Daily outdoor activities in the presence of sunlight
Restrict Screentime
Regular Outdoor Play
Adopt a Healthy Diet
Ensure children spend less time on smartphones, tablets and TV
Adopt a Healthy Diet
Regular Outdoor Play
Adopt a Healthy Diet
Feed them a balanced diet rich in vitamins & minerals
An Initiative by
Supported by
