Study Finds Children’s Headaches Rarely Indicate a Need for Eyeglasses
Often times, when a child has reoccurring headaches, we think it's associated with potential vision problems. A new study from November 2012, provided the first clear evidence that vision or eye problems are rarely the cause of reoccurring headaches in children even when the headaches start while doing school work or at school.
At the 116th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the "retrospective study, which was conducted at the ophthalmology clinic of Albany Medical Center in New York state, researchers reviewed the medical records of 158 children under age 18 who were seen at the clinic for frequent headaches from 2002-11. All of the children received complete eye exams by the clinic's ophthalmologists.
No significant correlation was found between their frequent headaches and a need for vision correction. The researchers reached this conclusion by comparing the results of the clinic's exams of the children with headaches to the records of their previous eye exams and other relevant medical care. Eye health and vision test results remained unchanged from earlier exams for 75 percent of the children. Also, children who already had eyeglasses were not found to need new prescriptions at the time they were seen at the clinic for headaches. Although about 14 percent of the children reported that their headaches occurred while doing visual tasks like homework, and about nine percent reported visual symptoms associated with their headaches, a need for vision correction did not appear to be the primary cause or a significant factor in any of these cases, according to the study."
At the 116th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the "retrospective study, which was conducted at the ophthalmology clinic of Albany Medical Center in New York state, researchers reviewed the medical records of 158 children under age 18 who were seen at the clinic for frequent headaches from 2002-11. All of the children received complete eye exams by the clinic's ophthalmologists.
No significant correlation was found between their frequent headaches and a need for vision correction. The researchers reached this conclusion by comparing the results of the clinic's exams of the children with headaches to the records of their previous eye exams and other relevant medical care. Eye health and vision test results remained unchanged from earlier exams for 75 percent of the children. Also, children who already had eyeglasses were not found to need new prescriptions at the time they were seen at the clinic for headaches. Although about 14 percent of the children reported that their headaches occurred while doing visual tasks like homework, and about nine percent reported visual symptoms associated with their headaches, a need for vision correction did not appear to be the primary cause or a significant factor in any of these cases, according to the study."
Although the study finds that headaches is not a reliable indicator for vision issues, it's a good idea to have your child undergo annual eye exams.
Kids that Wear Glasses More Likely to Pass Classes
Did you know that kids that wear glasses are more likely to pass classes? According to optometrist Bruce McNeel, in an effort to get parents to have their children's eyes tested, children's eye exams should be a standard back to school ritual. Sight is involved in more than 80% of learning which equates to trouble if your child is one of the children having difficulty seeing. Dr. McNeel furthers his efforts by teaching that children should have an eye exam by age three (unless issues are detected earlier).
Some warning signs that your child might be suffering from vision problems include the following:
Children could be suffering from myopia (short-sightedness) if they:
- SIT closer than two metres away from the TV
- Position themselves closer than 40 cm from a computer screen
- HOLD reading materials very close to their face
- SQUINT when trying to view distant objects and read a whiteboard
Signs eyes may be fatigued and strained:
- RUBBING eyes
- HEADACHES
Children may have vision-related problems if they regularly:
- SKIP lines when reading
- LEAVE out or confuse small words when reading
- TURN or tilt their head to use one eye only
- ARE often clumsy
Do High Tech Changes Hurt Children's Eyes?
I've often wondered and was just speaking about the high tech revolution causing other health issues down the road. Not only are we becoming an increasing internet dependent society but we are also increasing the number of gadgets to include an array of gadgets decreasing in size. This new revolution maybe cool and upcoming but what will all these changes do to our children's eyesights? Health experts are warning us that all this tech work on computers, tablets and other gadgets can lead to eye strain and fatigue. It's not just at home we have to be concerned with as schools are jumping on the bandwagon replacing traditional learning tools with computers and other technology over books, paper and pencils.
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| Ficklets |
This syndrome is being coined computer vision syndrome and can encompass many symptoms that include blurred vision, headaches, loss of attention, neck pain and more according to Dr. Andrea Thau of the American Optometric Association. The reason it's a problem is when we view a computer screen, it's flat and not 3-D. “It's flat and it's glowing, and it tricks the eye into thinking something is closer than it is… it often sets up an imbalance between eye coordination and focusing," stated Thau.
As with adults, she recommends taking a 20 second break every 20 minutes as well as making sure the screen is four to five inches below eye level.
To read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/08/26/is-technology-harming-your-child-eyes/?intcmp=features#ixzz24gydOFAC
Nonsurgical LASIK Alternative Has Children Seeing Clearer
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| http://www.bristolfamilyeyecare.com/services-corneal-refractive.php |
Most likely, everyone has heard of LASIK by now to include the old cartoon from the Simpson's showing the neighbor in the future blind due to his LASIK. Luckily, that cartoon prediction hasn't transpired yet and many people are benefiting from a new treatment called corneal reshaping or Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT). It's the latest FDA approved treatment that helps those with blurry vision see with 20/20 vision. It differs from LASIK in that it's not a surgical procedure and is considered more controlled.
By wearing contact lenses at night, it slows and in some cases, prevents nearsightedness in children too. LASIK is only for adults so this is a new procedure option for children. The process begins when the optometrists maps the cornea which is the eye's most outer lens to measure the steepness. The way CRT works, is the steeper the cornea, the worse the vision is so when the customized lenses are fitted to the eye, it can reshape and flatten them overnight. The downside is the patient has to continue to wear the lenses at night or the effects will revert. Its average cost is $1800.
You can read more here.
Kids with low vision learn about art at ForSight Vision
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| (DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - CHRIS DUNN) |
ForSight Vision, a Spring Garden Township center for the blind and visually impaired, introduced art classes for children about two years ago. President Bill Rhinesmith said the classes -- held during two sessions per year -- help about 10 visually impaired kids use their sense of touch to create tie-dye T-shirts, collages and beaded artwork. Siblings and parents can also participate. This is a wonderful story about how children with low vision can participate in art type projects. The other goal of these classes are to help children with low vision adapt to social situations they might not have a chance to interact in.
Read more here.
Great Glasses Play Day August 5
As part of our support for children with glasses, contacts or patches, we are sharing the Little Four Eyes and Peeps Eyewear Great Glasses Play Day for August 5th.
Want to help?
We need your help to make the Great Glasses Play Day a success – take a look at some of the ways you can help. And we’re always up for other ideas, too – just let us know!
Parents:
- Attend one of the Great Glasses Play Day events and invite any friends who have children in glasses
- Sign up to host a Great Glasses Play Day
- Have a blog? Post about the Great Glasses Play Day
- We need more pictures! Do you have any great pictures of your child in glasses at play? Would you be willing to let us use that picture on this site? Send us a note at GGPD@shinypebble.com!
- Talk to your local Children’s Librarian and ask if they’d be willing to do a book display the week of Great Glasses Play Day.
- Read our “Ways to Play” series on different ways to celebrate the Great Glasses Play Day
- Like us on Facebook
- Submit your own ideas of ways to celebrate to GGPD@shinypebble.com!
Eye Care Professionals:
- Post a flyer about the Great Glasses Play Day in your office, or let parents of children in glasses know about the Great Glasses Play Day in other ways.
- Offer free adjustments, free glasses cleaning cloths, or free glasses cases the week of Great Glasses Play Day
- Like us on Facebook
- Contact us at GGPD@shinypebble.com with other ideas!
Librarians:
- Vision and literacy are closely related, a child who has poor vision will likely struggle with reading. Not only that, many children find comfort in books about other kids who are facing similar situations, and getting glasses is no exception! We would love if you would consider putting up a display of books related to kids and glasses for the Great Glasses Play Day, or do a story time with stories on that topic. There are some good lists of books about kids and glasses at Eye Health Guide and Little Four Eyes.
Others:
- Have a blog? Post about the Great Glasses Play Day
- Spread the word, let any friends or family with kids in glasses know about the day
- Like us on Facebook
- Drop us a line at GGPD@shinypebble.com with
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