Research undertaken last month by Censuswide on behalf of Boots Opticians has shown that parents are twice as likely to worry about screen time than their child’s vision (59 per cent compared to 29 per cent).
From the nationwide sample of 2,000 UK parents, 76 per cent of respondents admitted they didn’t know what ‘myopia’ was – with 13 per cent believing that ‘eating carrots’ could reverse myopia.
In addition, 32 per cent of respondents believed children could ‘grow out of myopia’, with 36 per cent believing that glasses could ‘cure’ the condition.
The study also found that children’s eyesight ranked below several other parental concerns.
Survey respondents said they considered healthy eating (57 per cent) and mental wellbeing (57 per cent) more often than their child’s eyesight, while 74 per cent prioritised taking their child to regular dental appointments, compared with 49 per cent who prioritised routine eye tests.
Just one in nine survey respondents (11 per cent) admitted to only taking their child to the optician when they complained of a problem, while 14 per cent believed children “don’t need eye tests if they aren’t experiencing symptoms”.
Kyla Black, director of optical practice at Boots Opticians, said: “Good vision plays an important role in a child’s learning, development and confidence, both in and out of the classroom. However, many parents are unfamiliar with myopia, a common condition that causes distant objects to appear blurry.
“Signs of myopia can include sitting close to screens, squinting, frequent headaches and difficulty seeing things in the distance.
“Parents should ensure their child has an eye examination at least every two years, or more frequently if recommended by their optometrist, and book an appointment sooner if they notice any changes in their child’s vision or have concerns about their eyesight.
“Early detection can make a real difference, helping children access the support and treatment they need to see clearly.”
When it came to treating vision conditions like myopia, 71 per cent of survey respondents said they would consider myopia management lenses if they could help slow progression, “highlighting a strong appetite for solutions once awareness is raised” – the company stated.