National Anti-Bullying Week 2010 Bullies Pick On Children Who Wear Glasses
National Anti-Bullying-Week this week 15th-19th November is a campaign which supports a cause dear to the hearts of many parents and children who wear glasses.
- Abilene, TX (1888PressRelease) January 05, 2011 - Bullying can arise as a result of many things but a frequent cause target of bullying is children who wearing glasses as a child. Taunts like "Specky four eyes" are common with children who wear glasses being since they are perceived as being physically weak and therefore fair game for "overt bullying".
Whilst some celebrities like Lily Allen and Alexa Chung have been seen wearing "geek chic" glasses as fashion statements - whether or not they need them - this is no of real help to a young child facing bullying in the school playground.
Last year Marvin Humes of JLS appeared in a video to raise awareness of ChildLine's new online service and talked frankly about being bullied at school for wearing glasses to raise awareness of ChildLine's new online service. He also took part in the online chats forum about being teased from the age of 11 for wearing glasses.
Cyber bullying is a new phenomenon which children now have to deal with. Children now spend an average of 7 hours in the online world 4 exposing them to cyber bullying. But spending too much time online also predisposes children to the need to wear glasses.
It has been known for many years that too much close work can lead to the early development of myopia and. It is why children who wear glasses are often considered the "brainy ones" – they spendt more time with their heads in books and less time kicking a football around a football". But this is a double- edged sword as since studying too much can increase the need for glasses at an early age and wearing glasses makes it difficult to join in playground activities and sports.
Whilst myopia is predominantly genetically inherited, new research has revealed that recent lifestyle changes in children's behaviour - the increased use of mobile phones, texting, using computers and playing less time outside in natural sunlight; is being blamedare all to blame for the dramatic increases in myopia 3. Myopia rates have almost doubled in the last 30 years according to research published by National Eye Institute 2
An option for children who need glasses is to wear contact lenses and in particular overnight contact lenses. Overnight contact lenses reshape the eye while the child sleeps and conventional contact lenses or glasses are not needed during the day.
Michael Davis 13, who has been wearing night contact lenses for over a year now says,. "I think my lenses are amazing because I don't have to wear glasses anymore and I can even last a couple of days without wearing them and still see. I can also play rugby much easier, as well as baseball and tennis"
There are many advantages to night time contact lenses for both parents and children. Parents can be confident that their child can see clearly at all times and, vision correction and hygiene is carried out at home so parents can supervise under parental supervision. In addition recent research has indicated that overnight contact lenses may slow or even halt the progression of myopia in children 1.
Best of all for children is the fact that they do not have to wear glasses anymore and can participate more confidently in everyday school life.
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW
• Dr S Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO Lead Clinician The SMART Study
• Shelly Bansal FBDO, (Hons) CL, FBCLA – Clinical consultant for i-GO
• Additional unpublished case studies available
REFERENCES
1. SMART Study (The Stabilization of Myopia through Accelerated Reshaping Technique)
A 5 year longitudinal study. Year two findings were presented at the Global Specialty Lens Symposium by Dr Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO in Las Vegas (January 2010)
1. Increased Prevalence of Myopia in the United States Between 1971-1972 and 1999-2004
Susan Vitale PhD, MHS Epidemiologist at the National Eye Institute Archives of Ophthalmology December 2009
1. Outdoor Activity Reduces the Prevalence of Myopia in Children
Kathryn A. Rose, PhD, at al (2009)
1. Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds
The Kaiser Family Foundation (2010)
ABOUT i-GO OVERNIGHT VISION CORRECTION
• iGO OVC is the UK trademark for the US patented overnight contact lens made by Euclid Systems Corp and has been approved by the Food and Drugs Administration.
• Suitable for all ages, around 75% of all short-sighted people are suitable - prescriptions up to -5.00D with astigmatism less than 1.50D.
• Initial design and fitting is from £200 plus £40 per month
• A CE marked medical device available on prescription through accredited iGO opticians
• Children can claim a NHS allowance against the treatment.
• Interested consumers can contact i-GO on 0844 7362579 or visit www.igolenses.com
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