Oh! My child needs Eye Glasses

Mumbai-based Ramu and his wife have no words to thank their kid Nandu's kindergarten class teacher Smt. Lalitha. The teacher had called both Ramu and his wife to the school and informed that Nandu was always coming near the black board to stare at the letters while copying in the notebook. A shocked Ramu rushed to the ophthalmologist immediately and their worst fears came true. Nandu had myopia and was prescribed glasses. Nandini Murali's parents Meenakshi and Murali were watchful right from the beginning. As both of them had refractory errors, they organise for annual eye checkups for Nandini [who is presently in Class V). Luckily, Nandini had a very minor refractory error which got corrected after she visited the Pondicherry Ashram of Mother. In this Ashram, Nandini's medical reports were verified and she was advised to stay in the campus for a few days and learn the different eye exercises. Today, Nandini is completely cured of myopia. Her parents are watchful and are particular about what she eats and how much of television she watches. Genetic factors contribute more to the incidence of refractory errors. Added to that, increased viewing of television has also compounded the problem. Children today have greater attraction for junk food and seem to shun diet that is nutritious and good for the eyes. Tips for Parents Here are some tips to parents to be extra-vigilant in these matters: 1. Have a regular dialogue with your child's class teacher. Ensure that your child is not lagging in his studies due to refractory errors or any other such ailment that misses your attention. 2. If you or your parents have had problems in eyes, it is always better to be proactive and get your child's eyes tested. 3. If your child is showing a tendency for going and watching the television from close quarters, this should ring an alarm bell in you as a parent. 4. Ensure that your kids have a diet rich in green leafy vegetables and yellow and orange coloured fruits/ vegetables. Carrots, spinaches, water melons, pumpkins, papayas, musk melons - all these are extremely good for the eyes. 5. During nights, it is always better to have butter milk instead of curd as this is easy for digestion and gives a cooling effect to your body. 6. As per nutritionists, home-made curd has some good bacteria that may or may not be always present in curds purchased from the market. 7. Almonds and black raisins are also good for the eyes. 8. Do not give any Vitamin A tonics unless the same is prescribed by a medical expert. Self-medication is harmful. 9. Too much of reading and too much of TV viewing is definitely detrimental for eyes. 10. Please note that: the advice of ophthalmologists is very subjective. Seldom will you find two ophthalmologists agreeing on a common result. So, please visit only an ophthalmologist of repute or one with whom your friends or relatives have had a positive experience. In some eye-testing clinics, the entire testing is done by optometrists. While nothing is wrong with that, I am not sure if optometrists are qualified to give prescriptions. I am writing this based on personal experience, my friends. Eyes are our gifts from God. Neither should we abuse them nor should we place them under the care of doctors who may not be sincere in their diagnosis. I am extremely sorry for making this comment (this is without any malice) but I have suffered this myself. Once the doctor gives you time, physically checks the eyesight of your kid and prescribes glasses, please return back to the doctor to show him the glasses. Some shops who manufacture spectacles are not humane enough not to install metal frames for very young children (3 - 8 years). So, check with the doctor without fail. Some metal frames can cause allergy and so please take care regarding this.   Your role as Parents    1. Never admonish your child that he has got specs. Your child needs more attention and care now.  2. Tell him that he/she looks more handsome/beautiful with the glasses. Explain to them that this is only a correction. Always encourage them to believe in themselves. 3. Never ever worry regarding this development. Worry never helps but only aggravates the issue. 4. Those who believe in spirituality can pray to the Sun God and also to the well-known Tamil saints Ramanuja and Embar Swamigal. 5. Here is the shloka to propitiate the Sun God. Lord Surya cures all eye ailments.   "NAMAH SURYAYA SHANTAYA SARVAROGA NIVAARINE AYUR AROGYAM AISVARIYAM DEHI DEVAH JAGATPATE"   Meaning: Oh! Lord Surya, ruler of the Universe, you are the remover of all diseases, the repository of peace, I bow to you. , May you bless your Devotees with longevity, health and wealth. You may chant this mantra 11 times every morning. Positive results will follow.   6. Though the medical fraternity may frown at eye exercises, do study the content/ books related to eye exercises and take your own call. After all, there is no harm in trying. Isn't it?   7. Last but not the least, our grandmothers encouraged us to have an oil bath once a week to cool our body. This is an excellent advice that we can follow.