Table 5 How teachers would advise children to keep their eyes healthy
Type of advice* | Frequency (n = 16) | % |
|---|---|---|
Advice related to cleanliness | ||
Wash your face with clean water, and keep eyes clean | 8 | 50.0 |
Splash water into your eyes | 3 | 18.8 |
Avoid touching /rubbing eyes with dirty hands | 2 | 12.5 |
Advice related to food | ||
Foods to eat (e.g. vegetables, carrots, milk, cucumber, turnip, salad) | 12 | 75.0 |
Foods to avoid: spicy, citrus, very hot food | 3 | 18.8 |
Take balanced diet, use proteins | 2 | 12.5 |
Take vitamin A | 1 | 6.3 |
Advice related to medication | ||
Contact doctor if there is an eye problem | 2 | 12.5 |
Avoid self-medication, use eye drops as advised by doctor | 3 | 18.8 |
Use glasses if advised | 1 | 6.3 |
Use only time-tested kohl- the white kohl | 1 | 6.3 |
Check eyesight every 6 months | 1 | 6.3 |
Avoid lotions, chemicals, and beautifiers unless indicated | 1 | 6.3 |
Avoid use of kohl | 1 | 6.3 |
Advice related to light and heat | ||
Avoid sunlight, use sunglasses | 10 | 62.5 |
Television use (e.g. not too long or too close or while lying down). | 5 | 31.3 |
Do not take a walk in cold wind | 1 | 6.3 |
Advice related to reading | ||
Avoid reading in dim light or in bright light | 9 | 56.3 |
Do not hold book too close | 5 | 31.3 |
Do not read while lying in bed | 2 | 12.5 |
Read in sufficient light | 2 | 12.5 |
Do not read in a moving vehicle | 1 | 6.3 |
If you cannot see the blackboard well, please contact me | 1 | 6.3 |
Advice related to environment | ||
Avoid dust and smoke | 4 | 25.0 |
See greenery, or take a walk on green grass | 3 | 18.8 |
Plant trees | 1 | 6.3 |
Advice related to injury prevention | ||
Avoid playing with pen/pencil | 1 | 6.3 |
Do not hit each other with stone | 1 | 6.3 |
Do not slap each other | 1 | 6.3 |
Avoid rubbing eyes | 1 | 6.3 |
Avoid striking head against hard objects | 1 | 6.3 |
Avoid jumping down from a height | 1 | 6.3 |
Advice related to other things | ||
Do not use colour papers. Use only white or red papers | 1 | 6.3 |
Get enough sleep | 1 | 6.3 |
Tell your father if there is any eye problem | 1 | 6.3 |