Myopia, is a growing global health concern which is set to affect millions more children by 2050, a study warns. 1 in 3 kids is now short-sighted globally as per the study shows. 85% Children in japan are suffering from myopia while 73% children in south Korea as the study revels. In China and Russia, nearly half of all children (40%) have vision problems. Paraguay and Uganda have the lowest rate of myopia in children. Myopia rates tripled between 1990-2023. It has notably increased after the Covid pandemic. The concern is that the high rates of myopia could lead to large numbers of unusual eye conditions in older age.
What is myopia ?
Myopia is the medical term of nearsightedness. It’s a condition in which a person can see close objects clearly, but have difficulty in noticing the far ones. It mainly occurs when our eyeball grows too long from front to back. It also can happen when there are problems with the shape of our cornea or lens, which helps the eye focus. It has estimated that nearly half the people in the world will have nearsightedness by 2025 due to increased uses of smartphones and tablets.
As per doctors, Nearsightedness starts in primary school year when a child focus on book or screens with their eyes which strains the eye muscles and stops at the age of 20.
Signs of myopia
- Eye strain
- Squinting
- Headache
- Difficulties in reading words from distance
- Blurry vision
How to prevent myopia ?
Here are few effective tips to prevent myopia
- Changes in lifestyle:
Limiting the screen time can be very helpful in preventing myopia. Spending more time outside instead of playing video games, Setting limits on watching TV, laptop and smartphones prevents the chances of myopia. Avoid reading in dimly lit spaces.
- Develop eye-friendly habits:
Maintain proper posture to Reduce eye strain while sitting in front of a laptop screen. Blink regularly when using screens. Adjust Brightness, contrast, and font size. And take breaks in every 30 minutes. Practice eye Exercises like eye warm-up, eye movement and relaxation.
- Eye care:
Do regular eye check-ups. Schedule an annual check-up routine starting from age 3. Correct vision problems early. Seek immediate medical help if notice any abnormal changes in eye. Use proper lighting for reading. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Look away from screens in every 20 mins, focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Nutrition and Supplements:
Make sure to take your nutrition properly for good eye health. Eat omega-3 rich foods like fatty fish, nuts, and seeds. Increase the intake of antioxidant rich foods like leafy greens and vegetables. Don’t forget to spend more time in sunlight for vitamin D.
Prevent myopia to see the future clearly.
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