. 27/09/2024 2:37 PM
Recent research reveals a staggering trend: one in three children worldwide is now affected by myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness. This visual impairment makes it challenging for children to see objects clearly at a distance. The surge in myopia cases is primarily attributed to increased screen time and reduced outdoor activities, a phenomenon exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the daily lives of children globally. Lockdowns confined children indoors, leading to heightened reliance on digital devices for both education and entertainment. This shift resulted in decreased outdoor physical activity—essential for maintaining healthy vision. The alarming statistics speak for themselves: a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology indicates that the global prevalence of myopia has tripled since 1990.
The study analyzed data from over five million children across 50 countries, revealing notable regional disparities in myopia prevalence. In East Asia, the situation is particularly dire; approximately 85% of children in Japan and 73% in South Korea are affected by myopia. In contrast, countries like Paraguay and Uganda report significantly lower rates, with only 1% of children impacted. In Western nations, such as the UK, Ireland, and the US, about 15% of children are grappling with myopia.
Myopia typically manifests during elementary or primary school and can worsen until the eye stops growing, usually around the age of 20. Environmental factors, especially prevalent in East Asia, contribute significantly to the rising rates of myopia. Excessive screen time and academic pressures, coupled with reduced outdoor activities, elevate the risk of developing this condition. Alarmingly, projections suggest that by 2050, more than half of the world's teenagers could experience myopia.
Notably, research indicates that girls and young women may be more susceptible to myopia, primarily due to spending less time outdoors during their formative school years.
To combat the rise of myopia, experts recommend that children spend at least two hours outdoors daily, particularly between the ages of seven and nine. Natural light exposure is crucial for eye health and can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing myopia.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, currently affects over 30% of the global population, beginning in childhood and often worsening during the teenage years. This condition arises when the eyeball elongates too much or when the cornea curves excessively, impairing distance vision. Beyond the immediate effects of blurred vision, myopia increases the risk of severe eye conditions, including retinal detachment and glaucoma.
Fortunately, various treatments are available for myopia, including:
Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses: These are the most common and straightforward solutions.
Orthokeratology: This innovative treatment involves wearing specialized lenses overnight to reshape the cornea and temporarily correct myopia.
Environmental Changes: Increasing outdoor time and natural light exposure can help slow myopia progression.
Genetics also plays a significant role in the likelihood of developing myopia. Children with myopic parents are at a heightened risk of experiencing similar vision issues.
