Essilor Partners with Onli STEM to Launch 'Starry Vision Academy' for Children's Eye Health Education

Shanghai, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Essilor, a global leader in ophthalmic optics, has officially launched the "Star Fun Study Club" eye care education project in collaboration with "Stan Planet," the online brand under the renowned educational institution Only STEM. This initiative aims to inspire children aged 4 to 12 to explore and understand the secrets of the eye and cultivate visual health literacy through an edutainment approach. Meanwhile, Essilor and Only STEM's Stan Planet are also providing parents with knowledge on proper eye use and protection for children, helping them scientifically safeguard their children's eye health.

Cultivating eye health literacy is of great significance in addressing the increasingly severe problem of myopia among adolescents in the post-pandemic era. With increased screen time and reduced outdoor activities, the prevention and control of adolescent myopia face unprecedented challenges. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education across nine provinces, the student myopia rate increased by 11.7% from the end of 2019 to the first seven months of 2020.^[1]Adolescence is a critical period for the progression of high myopia. Without timely prevention and control, once myopia progresses to high myopia exceeding 600 degrees, the risk of developing various ocular diseases will increase significantly; in severe cases, it may even lead to eyeball atrophy or blindness.

In response, Lin Guoliang, President of Vision Care at Essilor Greater China, stated, “The issue of myopia among adolescents is becoming increasingly severe. Enhancing public awareness and literacy regarding eye health, coupled with early screening, timely intervention, and prompt correction and control, is undoubtedly the fundamental solution to addressing this challenge. As a global leader in optometry, Essilor remains committed to its mission of ‘Improving vision, improving lives,’ actively engaging in eye health education and popularization initiatives to enhance the visual health literacy of both parents and children. We are delighted to join forces with Only STEM Star Planet in this strong partnership, integrating resources to co-create the ‘Star Fun Study Club,’ which promotes both cognitive development and eye health, thereby ensuring that optometric education truly begins from an early age.”

Regarding the protection of adolescents' visual health, Cui Xianguang, founder of Only STEM, stated, "Eye diseases are increasingly affecting younger populations, yet eye health issues are often overlooked by many parents. It is crucial to prioritize eye health and address vision problems from an early age. We are committed to working with Essilor to enhance eye health management for adolescents. We advocate ensuring adequate lighting during online classes and protecting eyesight through measures such as adjusting computer screen angles, increasing break frequency, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and performing eye exercises."

During the March back-to-school season, “Star Fun Study Club” will provide parents with a detailed and beautifully designed *Teenage Eye Care Handbook*. The handbook offers a comprehensive overview of children’s visual development curves at different growth stages, the causes and harms of myopia, and how to scientifically protect children’s eye health through both prevention and control measures.

Essilor specifically recommends that parents establish and track their children’s visual development records from an early age, taking them to hospitals or professional optometry institutions every six months for eye health screenings to facilitate early detection and intervention of vision problems. Once signs of myopia emerge, parents should promptly select appropriate myopia correction and control solutions for their children, including obtaining glasses prescribed and fitted at certified institutions and undergoing regular follow-up examinations and adjustments. Furthermore, cultivating proper eye-use habits is crucial for myopia prevention and control. Parents can guide their children in areas such as correct pencil-holding posture, fatigue-free eye use, outdoor activities, balanced diet, reduced screen time, and adequate sleep duration, thereby effectively slowing the progression of childhood myopia.

Next, Essilor and Only STEM Planet will jointly design and develop co-branded eye health courses. These courses will reveal the mysteries of the human eye in a fun and engaging way, spark children’s curiosity, and help them consciously cultivate good habits for eye use and protection through a deeper understanding of optometric principles.

^[1] http://www.moe.gov.cn/fbh/live/2020/52320/mtbd/202008/t20200828_481679.html