The number of children becoming shorted-sighted is on the rise, however this risk can be reduced if young people stop looking at various screens and spend more time outdoors, the Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI) has said.

According to AOI optometric advisor, Lynda McGivney-Nolan, a number of recent international studies have shown a big rise in short-sightedness, especially in urban areas.

"Short-sightedness (myopia) is increasing by up to 80% in some parts of the world and there are clear signs of a significant rise in Ireland too. All of the major studies conclude that spending time outdoors on a daily basis significantly reduces the risk of developing myopia. The message is clear, children need to get outdoors more to reduce this risk," she said.

She made her comments to coincide with Bright Eyes - children's eye health week - which runs from November 2-7.

As well as highlighting the importance of getting children outdoors, the awareness campaign is also highlighting the importance of detecting eye sight problems early on, as if left undetected, they can lead to underperformance in school and sporting activities.

"Some parents may be reluctant to let their child wear glasses for fear that this will make their eyesight worse. However, the opposite is true. Failing to wear glasses when they have been prescribed, or failure to catch vision problems in the early stages can lead to faster deterioration," Ms McGivney-Nolan explained.

Meanwhile, according to Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) professor of optometry, Prof James Loughman, people who are even mildly short-sighted have doubles the risk of developing glaucoma and cataract later in life.

Myopia also significantly increases the risk of other conditions, such as retinal detachment.

"It is surprising to most people to learn that myopia-related eye disease is the biggest cause of blindness in the working age population. To put this into perspective, being short sighted is as bad for your eye health as smoking or high blood pressure is for your heart," he pointed out.

If you are worried about your child's eyesight and you do not want to have a full eye examination carried out, the ‘Bright Eyes 6 Point Vision Check' has been developed by Irish optometrists to provide a quick, accurate check of your child's eyesight. This is available at participating opticians throughout this week. To find an optician offering this check, click here

The AOI is also encouraging parents to follow these tips:

-Get your children outdoors. Studies show that children who spend time outdoors every day are less likely to develop eye sight problems
-Get your child's eye checked annually with the Bright Eyes 6 Point Vision Check
-Limit the time your child spends on smartphones and tablets, as children tend to look at these close up, and they have been found to disrupt body and sleep rhythms, which has been linked to vision problems
-Get your child to do plenty of activities that improve hand-eye coordination.

For more information on the Bright Eyes campaign, click here

For more information on general eye health, see our Eye Clinic here