Taking a look back on Healthy Vision Month: Gen Z’s screen time, new eye care initiatives
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May was Healthy Vision Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of comprehensive eye exams and promote healthy habits to protect vision.
Throughout the month, Healio covered a variety of news stories about generational trends in eye health, barriers to care and new initiatives to improve access for adults and children alike. Here’s a recap of our most popular articles.
Gen Z reports working longer hours, with worsening eye health
New research from VSP Vision Care shows that 82% of Generation Z employees are working longer hours, including nights and weekends, and more than half report worsening eye health as a result.
“As an optometrist, the key takeaway for me is the number of respondents who reported having eye issues,” Valerie Sheety-Pilon, OD, VSP’s vice president of clinical and medical affairs for VSP Vision Care, told Healio. “Half of employees say they’re struggling with at least one eye issue. What’s more, the top three issues they report — blurred vision, eye strain/fatigue and dry itchy, eyes — are all linked to excessive screen time.” Read more.
WHO launches SPECS 2030 initiative with goal of 40% increase in access to spectacles
The WHO announced the launch of SPECS 2030, a global initiative to assist countries in attaining a 40% increase in the proportion of people with access to appropriate spectacles.
“The SPECS 2030 initiative marks a significant milestone in combatting uncorrected refractive error ... which is the leading cause of vision impairment in both children and adults,” Bente Mikkelsen, MD, MHA, WHO director for noncommunicable diseases, rehabilitation and disability, said in an organization press release. “Globally, it is estimated that only around one-third of people with vision impairment due to refractive error have access to a pair of spectacles that allows them to see well.” Read more.
Bipartisan bill introduced to improve children’s vision, eye health
U.S. Reps Marc Veasey and Gus Bilirakis on May 14 introduced the Early Detection of Vision Impairments in Children Act, which will establish grants for screenings, early interventions and coordinated care to improve children’s eye health.
According to a press release from Rep. Veasey, there are several public health programs that offer support for children’s hearing and oral health, but currently there is no federally funded program that addresses children’s vision or equitable eye care for children. Read more.
Top barriers to eye care among Americans include cost, accessibility, health care literacy
Cost, insurance, transport and accessibility, eye health literacy and communication were identified as major barriers to eye care among U.S. adults, with telemedicine cited as a possible solution, according to a systematic review in Cureus.
“Extensive research has identified numerous barriers that put many Americans at a disadvantage when trying to seek high-quality eye care services,” Nicholas Green, OD, FAAO, from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, and colleagues wrote. “Not only do the barriers to eye care services create problems for eye health, but also create a poor quality of life.” Read more.
Q&A: Myopia Awareness Week draws attention to ‘largest eye threat of the 21st century’
Myopia Awareness Week was May 13-19 and brought awareness to the “significant problem” of myopia, the danger of which is often underestimated, according to Fuensanta A. Vera-Diaz, OD, PhD, FAAO.
Vera-Diaz, director of research and associate professor at New England College of Optometry, said optometrists should discuss the importance of myopia with families to help with prevention and promote early diagnosis. Read more.
New Eye Health MicroGel supplement targets visual acuity, retinal health
Wellness company HealthyCell announced the launch of Eye Health, the newest supplement in the company’s MicroGel product line, which is designed to promote visual acuity, protect against oxidative stress and support retinal health.
According to a company press release, the Eye Health formulation includes carotenoids and micronutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, lycopene, vitamin A and vitamin E in a single, ultra-absorbable gel pack. Read more.
Reference:
- Healthy Vision Month fact sheet. https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/health-pdfs/HVM_Fact_Sheet_2016.pdf. Accessed May 30, 2024.