“Eyesight is very important when it comes to learning and independence.”
This is the message from the Trinidad Eye Hospital (TEH) in support of children’s literacy on World Literacy Day.
According to officials at TEH, research shows that one in four children has an undetected vision problem.
Optometrist Kareem Kasmally hinted that what is categorised as academic delinquency could often be attributed to poor eye health.
“About 80% of learning; 80% of literacy comes from vision And, oftentimes, we take for granted that a child, especially a child, needs to see in order to learn. How many children do we see that, you know, they’re struggling in school, they’re not performing well, and we think they’re just delinquent. But, really and truly, it might just simply be that they are short-sighted, they have astigmatism, they may be long-sighted, or they were born with a lazy eye.”
Mr. Kasmally offered some of the warning signs of declining eye health and one simple measure that could prevent the most common eye condition: short-sightedness.
“Red flags when it comes to a child would be squinting to see, holding your schoolbook very close, complaining of headaches or eye strain or eye pain, tilting the head when they’re looking at the television, going close to the television, and closing one eye in order to see. Children will be on the phone, they’re playing games and excessive near work. When you sit, even for us adults, where your kneecap starts, that’s where the phone should be; that’s where your near target should be.”
Mr. Kasmally stressed that most eye conditions are “irreversible yet preventable.”
He recommended limiting “near work” and screen time, enjoying a healthy diet and having yearly eye exams.
In observance of World Literacy Day, citizens can access free vision screenings and eye exams at the Trinidad Eye Hospital’s Brentwood Mall location until September 20th.