Page 18 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition March-April 2024

US STUDY FINDS behaviours, particularly in
DISPARITY IN SCREENING children.
The new Time in Daylight
KIDS WITH AUTISM tool, integrated into the Apple
Watch’s watchOS 10, utilises
the ambient light sensor to
New research indicates that there are differences in measure and display the time
the number of children with autism spectrum disorder spent outdoors, aligning with
(ASD) who receive vision screening in the US. recommendations from the

In a study that involved 63,829 “well-child visits” International Myopia Institute.
researchers found that only 37% of children with ASD This feature supports the
received vision screening as part of the visit in comparison crucial 80–120 minutes-a-day
to 60% of children without this condition. The children outdoor guideline, with Family
were aged between three and five, with the visits Setup allowing parents to
carried out between January 2016 and December 2019 monitor their child’s daylight
in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Florida. The study was exposure through the “Health
published in Paediatrics. Sharing” aspect.
According to senior study author of the study, Dr Complementing this, the
Brittany Perry, of Nemours Swank Autism Center, they Screen Distance feature, driven
also found that the differences were highest among black by the TrueDepth camera,
children with ASD – out of these only 28% received vision encourages users to maintain
screening. a healthy viewing distance to
Dr Perry said: “I wanted to study whether this might reduce the risk of myopia and
be a broader disparity – whether kids with autism receive digital eye strain. Optometrist
vision screening less often than other kids.” Bhavin Shah praised these
features, emphasising their
The study authors also revealed that photoscreening potential impact on children’s
– which involves a specialised camera or video system visual habits and hygiene.
to capture images of a child’s eyes – could be helpful for
children with ASD as very often such children are unable Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple’s
to participate coherently in a regular visual acuity test. VP of Health, highlighted
the company’s commitment
to empowering users in
their health journey. The
introduction of mental health
features alongside these vision
health tools reflects Apple’s
holistic approach to user well-
APPLE INTRODUCES VISION being, offering valuable insights
HEALTH FEATURES TO TACKLE and informed conversations
with healthcare professionals.
DIGITAL EYE STRAIN The implementation of such
features is a significant stride
towards raising awareness of
In a bid to address the growing concern of myopia, Apple has myopia management and
unveiled innovative features as part of its iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and encouraging healthier visual
watchOS 10 systems. Myopia, affecting over 30% of the global practices, positioning Apple at
population and projected to reach 50% by 2050, has prompted the the forefront of proactive tech-
tech giant to take proactive measures to promote healthy visual driven health solutions.

14 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | MAR-APR 2024 OPTOMETRY NEWS