Glasses party: going back to school with special glasses for children

As part of the cooperation of the Opticana network with the Klalit and United Health Insurance Funds, children from the age of 0 to the age of 18 who need vision correction are entitled to financing glasses within the public health basket with a symbolic deductible for a pair of glasses, depending on the age and the type of insurance in the fund. The adjustment process begins with a preliminary eye examination at an ophthalmologist within the framework of the health basket and the platinum supplementary insurance.

If the doctor recommends eyeglasses, he/she will issue the child a referral to an optometrist to fit a pair of glasses. A certified optometrist will perform an examination for the fit of the glasses, including the fit of the type of lenses and the frame from which a frame can be selected from a variety of dozens of frames divided by size and age.

The collections include glasses from Opticana's children's brand "Opticana Kids" as well as a variety of glasses from big brands such as RayBan as well as the Disney collection and more. Teenagers from the age of 15 can also be equipped with the trendy Catalia glasses that come in dozens of different models.

At the optician, they will even create a "glasses party" set for children who will come to kindergarten or class with glasses for the first time. The kit was developed for children who sometimes raise concerns and are even embarrassed from the first day they enter kindergarten or school with their new glasses.

A glasses party kit is designed to help children show off their glasses and give them social reinforcement and show that wearing glasses is natural and even cool! The kit includes coloring pages and pencils, the booklet "Ofir's glasses" that explains how the glasses improve the lives of those who need them. In addition, materials for making glasses and "Tami flour" for baking a gluten-free cake for friends in kindergarten or class.

Merav Chapni Raz, Assistant to the CEO of Opticana: "July and August, thousands of young children are called to the chain's stores and examination rooms. It is a great privilege to be a partner in the students' preparation in an optimal way for the coming school year. We prepare with a wide variety of vision frames that every boy and girl will be able to find themselves, to look good and feel confident and proud of themselves."

Computer vision syndrome

Computer vision syndrome are various visual phenomena caused by being in front of a computer screen and smartphone for a long time that can damage the eye, vision and even the state of alertness.

According to studies, it was found that the blue light radiation emitted from the screens (UV420) damages the retina and the cornea of the eye, and prolonged exposure to this radiation may be one of the factors that accelerates macular degeneration and cataracts.Recent studies published in Scientific Reports prove that prolonged exposure to this light causes the formation of toxic molecules in sensitive cells in the eyes, which may cause macular degeneration and in children the damage is greater because it is an eye that is still in the process of development and also the accumulated exposure from a young age.

In the short term, exposure to the blue light radiation emitted by the screens inhibits the production of the sleep hormone - melatonin, so that watching a screen, especially before bedtime, will harm the quality of sleep or the ability to fall asleep easily, often without knowing that it causes it.

This problem is relatively common among teenagers and causes chronic fatigue resulting from sleep problems. Problems with the secretion of the sleep hormone may cause problems of fatigue during the day and disorders of attention and concentration as a result.

Using glasses with DEFENDER CU radiation filtering lenses has been found to be effective in preventing these effects.The lenses in question, sold at the optician, are made of the material that filters 99.9% of the blue radiation and prevents the harm of the blue light and saves its negative effects.

The Defender "Si U" lenses are produced with a unique technology. The lens itself is made of a special material that blocks most of the harmful UV420 blue light radiation, which is emitted from computer screens, mobile devices and tablets, to which we are all exposed, especially children and teenagers, several hours a day.

Just as you protect your eyes from UV rays with sunglasses, it is important to protect them from an early age with special "CU Blue Defender" lenses, made of a unique material, which prevents the passage of blue light radiation and will protect your eyes from sleep problems and fatigue, as well as from damage long-term to the retina.

Is it possible to stop myopia (myopia in children)? - Absolutely yes! Children who are "bookworms" or those who are hard to get off the computer may suffer from myopia - nearsightedness - already at a young age. You have noticed that your child tends to sit very close to the television, and from time to time squints his eyes. If you were wondering how to resolve the matter, there is a possibility that he is suffering from myopia, and it is advisable to go and get checked.

Myopia (myopia) is the most common visual impairment among the existing visual impairments. About a third of the adult population suffers from myopia at different levels and degrees of severity. The causes of myopia:

Genetics - this is the main cause of myopia. When one or both parents have myopia, there is a high probability that their children will also inherit it.

A lot of reading - yes, prolonged work in front of a computer.

Lack of light - a person who is often in an environment without daylight, this stimulates growth of the eyeball.

"A person who suffers from high myopia (over 6), is exposed to complications such as: retinal tears, retinal detachment, may suffer from retinal degeneration. At older ages, these people will be exposed to cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and therefore must be closely monitored by a doctor," says Raviv .

Solutions for myopia: after diagnosing myopia, an optometrist measures the number needed for normal vision and gives several alternatives:

Glasses with a minus lens - which moves the light rays away, and brings them to the retina, to the point where they are supposed to reach.

Contact lenses with a minus number - there are different types of lenses:

Daily lenses - the most recommended in terms of sterilization.

Monthly lenses - to be soaked at night in a special solution, which disinfects and cleans them.Fixed soft or hard contact lenses - which can be used between a year and a year and a half

Signs that can indicate that glasses are needed in case the child has not been or is expected to be at the eye doctor soon:

• Multiple complaints of headaches
• Zooming in on the screen while watching
• Report that the lines "jump" while reading
• Using your finger to follow the lines while reading
• Frequent winks or blinks
• Complaints of fatigue
• Complaints of blurred vision
• red eyes

As mentioned, all this is in addition to the medical recommendation for an eye examination by a specialist doctor at the ages of one, three and six, who of course can identify vision problems and perform follow-up treatment accordingly.

If the examination by an ophthalmologist and/or optometrist identified a need for wearing glasses - here are some tips for fitting glasses for your child:

Today, the selection of children's glasses is colorful and fun and is offered in a wide variety of shapes and sizes so that every child can find a pair that will be to their liking and wear it with joy.

We must take into account the type of lenses the child needs according to the test and adjust a frame that will contain them - both in terms of the size of the lens and aesthetically in order to avoid frustration for the child - so that a model is not chosen that turns out to be unsuitable.

Because of the large variety of options, it is important to keep the selection experience focused and not overwhelming in order to maintain the child's patience.

Because the children are active and tend to run amok and not be careful and take care of their belongings - glasses must be chosen from flexible, light, hypoallergenic and strong materials and of course they must meet the Israeli standard.

In many cases - the need to wear eyeglasses for children stems from strabismus and lazy eye, therefore it is important that the eye be in the center or in the upper third of the frame to ensure effective treatment of the problem.

The frame must be the right size and suitable for the facial features, so it is important to pay attention to the highlights:

- The bridge of the glasses should be adjusted to the nose- The rod should end at the end of the child's ear- The lens should cover the entire eye cavity

Big brands such as NIKE and RAY-BEN appeal to children with special production for them and they can wear glasses "just like mom and dad's".