The American Optometry Association (AOA) has been holding a virtual emergency children’s vision summit to discuss Covid-19 and the impact it has had on the increased screen time for children.
WHAT
The conversation at the virtual AOA Emergency Children’s Vision Summit on March 24 was so rich that doctors of optometry on its panels spent the evening discussing the pandemic’s impact on children’s eye health and plotting a path forward.
WHY
Doctors of optometry report they are seeing increased numbers of patients with binocularity issues, digital eyestrain and dry eye. With remote learning and prolonged screen time induced by the pandemic, existing eye conditions have been exacerbated. The dialogue continues at Virtual AOA on Capitol Hill, May 23-25, and the AOA School Readiness Summit, for the public and policymakers, in July.
WATCH
The event included frontline doctors of optometry, industry leaders, and key state and federal policymakers, putting essential optometric care in the national spotlight. It marked the launch of a yearlong dialogue and actions aimed at getting children who have endured months of increased screen time to doctors of optometry for comprehensive eye exams.
Advanced Eyecare Optometry will be following the summit and its conclusions and keeping you alerted to things you should know!
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Sources: aoa.org
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