The Healthier Oklahoma Coalition took a few moments Tuesday to address what an expert said was an overlooked health matter related to the pandemic: eyesight.
Dr. Jean Hausheer, chair of the Healthier Oklahoma Coalition and an ophthalmologist, explained that school closures were among the first measures put into place, resulting in children spending more time in front of digital screens for learning and entertainment as part of quarantining at home.
"A recent perspective given in the American Journal of Ophthalmology has asked whether the shift has accelerated what already was a boom of cases of nearsightedness worldwide," Hausheer said. "The authors pointed to several research papers suggesting that these pandemic-associated trends could be linked to myopia onset and progression."
Hausheer said there is still much to discover about the link between nearsightedness and digital screen time, noting a research complication that weakens data is that screen time often is estimated based on self-reported measurements.
She added that the influence of near work and outdoor time on development of nearsightedness also isn't fully understood, though there is compelling evidence of potential correlation with environmental factors.
"Meanwhile, we should continue to promote socially distanced outdoor activities for our children and try to limit their screen time," Hausheer said.
"This means setting clear limits on television time, taking kids to the park or take them on a bike ride until more research has been completed on this topic."
She said adults who have increased their digital screen in the pandemic also have often noticed increased eye irritation, burning and itching from dry eyes.
"They also should strive to limit their screen time and consider using artificial tears throughout their day," Hausheer said.
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Photos: Favorite back-to-school pictures from Tulsa World photographers
Gallery: Favorite back-to-school pictures from Tulsa World photographers
OWASSO FIRST DAY
Crossing guard Don Griffin works on the first day of in-person instruction at Owasso schools in September.
Owasso back to school
Owasso Public Schools resumed in-person classes on Thursday, Sept. 17. ART HADDAWAY/Owasso Reporter
Read more: Owasso students return to class for in-person instruction
OWASSO FIRST DAY
A bus driver travels her route on the first day of in-person instruction at Owasso schools Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020.
Owasso back to school
Owasso Public Schools resumed in-person classes on Thursday, Sept. 17. ART HADDAWAY/Owasso Reporter
OWASSO FIRST DAY
Dalynne Simon(left) and Cierra Kelley make their way to school on the first day of in-person instructino at Owasso schools Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
UNION FIRST DAY
Students are reminded to wear a mask amidst other more traditional first day of school chalk drawings on the sidewalk as they arrive at Union High School Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
JENKS FIRST DAY
Senior Zen Zam makes her way to class on the first day of in-person instruction at Jenks High School Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Click here to read about the first day for Jenks Public Schools
Owasso back to school
Owasso Public Schools resumed in-person classes on Thursday, Sept. 17. ART HADDAWAY/Owasso Reporter
TPS FIRST DAY
Michael Hendricks teaches his fifth-grade English Language Arts class virtually from his classroom at Wayman Tisdale Fine Arts Academy on Aug. 31.
TPS First Day
East Central Junior High School teacher Jonnatan Montes talks with Tulsa Public schools superintendent Deborah Gist in an empty classroom in Tulsa, OK, August 31, 2020.
Click here to read about the return for Tulsa Public Schools
Owasso back to school
Owasso Public Schools resumed in-person classes on Thursday, Sept. 17. ART HADDAWAY/Owasso Reporter
TPS FIRST DAY
Michael Hendricks teaches his fifth-grade English Language Arts class virtually from his classroom at Wayman Tisdale Fine Arts Academy Monday, Aug. 31, 2020.
Click here to read about the return for Tulsa Public Schools
Jennings, Oklahoma
Sheryl Guin teaches third grade on the first day of class in Jennings, Oklahoma, on Aug. 5, 2020. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
UNION FIRST DAY
Sophomore James Stevenson makes his way to the entrance for the first day of school at Union High School as the sun rise is reflected in the school's windows Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
UNION FIRST DAY
A sign on a school bus door reminds students to wear a mask on the first day of school at Union High School Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TPS First Day
Teacher Kameron Keller hands out technology to sixth-grader Kaylee Palacious at Dolores Huerta Elementary School in Tulsa, OK, August 31, 2020. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Click here to read about the return for Tulsa Public Schools
UNION FIRST DAY
Chalk mask reminders, along with more traditional first day of school messages, are seen on the sidewalk as students arrive for the first day of school at Union High School Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Bixby First Day
Colleen Simpson carries a tub of supplies as she arrives on the first day of school at Bixby High School in Bixby, Okla., on Monday, August 17, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Bixby First Day
Students sit apart from each other on the first day of school at Bixby High School in Bixby, Okla., on Monday, August 17, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Bixby First Day
Sage Barner (foreground) walks down a hallway on the first day of school at Bixby High School in Bixby, Okla., on Monday, August 17, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
UNION FIRST DAY
Senior Matthew Minton jokingly wore a hazmat suit for the first day of school at Union High School Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Jennings, Oklahoma
Karen Page teaches fifth grade on the first day of class in Jennings, Oklahoma, on Aug. 5, 2020. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
UNION FIRST DAY
Juniors Chloee Kelley(left) and Jushua Bisesi talk as they wait to enter for the first day of school at Union High School Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
JENKS FIRST DAY
Sophomore Rafael Orozco gets directions from Amy Hudson, executive director of student services, on the first day of in-person instruction at Jenks High School Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
BROKEN ARROW FIRST DAY
Principal Nate Hutchings greets first-grader Jackson Snider and his mother, Amanda Snider, on the first day of school at Rosewood Elementary School Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Click here to read about the first day for Broken Arrow Public Schools
JENKS FIRST DAY
Sophomores Tia Orr(left), Grace Sinor and Kylee McCoy wait to enter the building on the first day of in-person instruction at Jenks High School Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Click here to read about the first day for Jenks Public Schools
JENKS FIRST DAY
Trumpet player Ben Galles (left) tries to stay warm during band practice before school on the first day of in-person instruction at Jenks High School Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Click here to read about the first day for Jenks Public Schools
BROKEN ARROW FIRST DAY
McKenzie Owen hugs her son Wallace Owen goodbye before leaving him at his kindergarten class on the first day of school at Rosewood Elementary School Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Click here to read about the first day for Broken Arrow Public Schools
