Why Vision of Young Children is Being Affected These Days
Role of vision in child development: Overview
Vision has a very important role to play in the physical, cognitive, and social development of children. Vision disorders are being detected in an increasing number of children these days, because of which their development is being affected to a great extent. Hence, it is pertinent that vision disorders in children are treated in a timely manner, so that vision problems do not affect their health and well-being in adulthood.
Children with uncorrected vision disorders generally have poor academic performance because vision problems interfere with learning. Moreover, vision problems also impair the recreational activities of children, and may even lead to permanent vision loss in certain cases.
Children can suffer from a number of vision problems. However, vision problems in children cannot easily be figured out by parents because children do not complain about their difficulty in vision. Mostly, parents come to know of the vision problems of their children only when the problems become perceptible, and there is deterioration in the eyesight of the affected child
Children affected by vision problems may suffer from low-to-no vision, blurred vision, loss of side vision, or color blindness
Why vision of children is being affected: Causes
Usually, children who have a family history of childhood vision disorders are potentially at a high risk of vision problems.
Besides family history, several vision problems in children — especially infants — are also commonly linked to the permeability of ultraviolet radiation and blue light, and sensitivity to glare. Although light is essential for the development of visual function in children because it conveys signals that are converted by the brain into information, which influences the development of neural connections, it is important to protect the eyes of the children from strong light during the first few months of their life.
Improper care of the eyes in the early years can affect the vision of children. Generally speaking, vision disorders in children are associated with the following conditions :
- Exposure to sunlight
- Exposure to ‘bad blue’ light that can cause retinal damage
- Exposure to different kinds of display screens, especially LED screens
- Improper quality and quantity of lighting while reading/writing
- Improper and unhealthy diet
- Sleep disorders.
Common vision problems in children
Vision problems in children can largely be divided into two groups:
- Refractive eye disorders, which are marked by blurred vision due to the inability of the eye to focus the light that enters it.
- Non-refractive eye disorders, which are caused by eye diseases.
Refractive eye disorders are the most common cause of vision problems among school-age children. Nearly 20% children of school-going age suffer from refractive errors. Some of the noticeable indications of refractive errors in children are: squinting, tilting the head to see better, holding the book too close, frequent eye rubbing, sensitivity to light, closing one eye to read or watch TV, avoiding activities that require near vision, headache complaints, and getting lower grades than usual.
The most common vision disorders that affect children these days are:
- Strabismus, which affects babies and is caused because of poor eye muscle control
- Amblyopia or Lazy Eye, which is caused by the disruption of the normal development of vision
- Myopia or Short-sightedness, a refractive eye problem in which children cannot clearly see objects at a distance
- Hyperopia or Long-sightedness, a refractive eye problem in which children cannot clearly see objects close to them
- Astigmatism, an eye condition in which light entering the eye can do not focus correctly on the retina, resulting in blurred images.
Vision problems in children: Ayurvedic Treatment
According to Ayurveda, there are a number of herbs that can have beneficial effects on eye health. Ayurvedic experts use these herbs for the preparation of herbal formulations that enhance the health of the eyes by providing adequate nourishment.
Planet Ayurveda, a renowned herbal manufacturing company offers excellent herbal products, which can keep the eyes healthy and manage vision problems affecting children these days. These products are prepared from 100% pure and natural herbs and other components, and are, therefore, completely safe to use.
Planet Ayurveda’s herbal products for managing vision disorders are:
Amalaki Rasayan
This herbal formulation is prepared from the pure standardized extract of the extremely beneficial ‘Amalaki’ herb (Emblica Officinalis). The herb is widely known in Ayurveda for its immense medicinal value, due to abundant amounts of vitamins, iron, minerals, calcium, antioxidants, and essential amino acids.
Amalaki Rasayan is useful in managing eye problems and several other disorders because of its ability to enhance eyesight, treat eye conditions, improve eye health, treat dryness, rejuvenate the body, and helps in balancing the Vata, Pitta and Kapha energies of the body.
Brahmi Chavanprash
Brahmi Chyawanprash is a jam-like herbal product prepared from a combination of some extremely potent herbs — including Brahmi (Bacopa monieri), Amla (Emblica officianalis), and several other herbs — which have proven properties for improving the body’s overall health.
The regular use of Brahmi Chyawanprash can be beneficial for enhancing vision in children because it can manage degenerative changes, nourish the eyes, keep the eyes healthy, treat eye problems, enhance the nervous system, and rejuvenate the body
Bilberry capsules
The preparation of these capsules involves the use of the Bilberry herb (Vaccinium myrtillus), which is a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, and iron; and is also abundant in antioxidants.
The Bilberry herb acts as a vasodilator — that is, it has the ability to open blood vessels and lower the high blood pressure. Since the eyes have a high concentration of blood capillaries, the herb can have immense nutritional benefits for the eyes.
The use of Bilberry capsules is beneficial for children affected with eye problems because the capsules can improve eyesight, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, maintain a healthy vision, and boost the production of the ‘rhodopsin’ pigment, which improves night vision and helps the eye adapt to changes in light.
Angel Eye Vitale capsules
These capsules are considered an excellent herbal supplement for treating eye disorders because they are rich in minerals and vitamins. Some of the key ingredients of these capsules include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta carotene, zinc, copper, titanium dioxide, almond oil, grape seed oil, shea butter, and high oleic sunflower oil deodorized.
The use of these capsules can manage eye problems by providing proper nutrition to the eyes, reducing puffiness of the eyes, reducing dark circles under the eyes, and improving overall eye health.
Conclusion
Children diagnosed with vision impairment can benefit from the use of Planet Ayurveda’s herbal products. These products can support the overall development of children suffering from various vision disorders. The preparation of the products does not involve the use of any chemicals, preservatives, binders, fillers, artificial colors, or additives. However, it is advisable to use herbal products under the expert guidance of an experienced Ayurveda practitioner.
