Visual impairment (VI) in preschool children not only hinders their development but is set to increase significantly in the coming decades. A recent study provides a roadmap for future public health strategies, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention in preventing visual impairment and ensuring children's readiness for school and life.
The number of preschool children with visual impairment is expected to rise by 26% by 2060. A majority (69%) of these visual impairments are due to simple uncorrected refractive error. Hispanic white children are currently and will continue to be the most affected demographic, followed by African American children.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿?
Early visual impairment can lead to developmental delays, especially in reading skills and school readiness. However, early intervention, such as vision screening and corrective measures like glasses, can prevent unnecessary VI and help children achieve proper visual-motor function.
The prevalence of VI varies by race and ethnicity, with minority populations expected to see a disproportionate increase. States like California, Texas, and Florida will have the highest numbers of affected children.
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The data underscores the critical need for vision screening for refractive errors and related eye diseases. Such measures can safeguard a significant portion of preschool children from avoidable visual impairments and the developmental challenges they bring.
For a detailed look at the study's implications and the importance of vision health in early childhood development, visit the full article.
Author: Jochen Kumm
Source:
*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5710267/#:~:text=In%202015%2C%20more%20than%20174,projected%20to%20increase%20by%2026%25
Authors: Rohit Varma, MD, MPH,corresponding author1,2 Kristina Tarczy-Hornoch, MD, DPhil,3,4 and Xuejuan Jiang, PhD1,2