Driven by increasingly urbanised lifestyles, greater screen time and less time spent outdoors, myopia is expected to rise as much as 50% by 2050. Myopia is the medical term for “short-sightedness” or the inability to see distant objects.
Globally, it affects between a quarter and a third of the world’s population and is rising at an alarming rate around the world.
Evidence shows that the chances of a child becoming myopic are reduced by approximately 30% if they spend more than 14 hours a week outdoors. Yet, many children are instead spending large portions of their day engaged in near-work activities such as reading, gaming, and screen use, often indoors and without natural light.
Myopia is the most common refractive vision error. It is one of the leading causes of poor vision, notably among young adults and school-aged children, whose eyes are still developing and who are at risk of further worsening of the condition.
During Myopia Awareness Week from 19 to 25 May, the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa (Ossa) in partnership with specialist sub-societies the South African Society for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (Saspos) and the South African Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (SASCRS) aims to highlight the continued rise in myopia cases, particularly in children, and call for greater awareness and early intervention.
Signs of near-sightedness
Parents and teachers should be vigilant for signs of near-sightedness which include:
- holding books close to the face to read
- sitting very close to the TV
- rubbing the eyes
- squinting or straining to read the board or presentations at school
- disinterest in teaching, often diagnosed as behavioural issues
- fear or hesitancy to participate in sports
How screen time impacts vision and eye health
Use of digital devices is increasingly important for schooling, and screen time can be beneficial when balanced well with other activities, according to mykidsvision.org.
However, children exposed to screens before the age of three years are more likely to have developed myopia by pre-school age. Screen time in children and teenagers has also been linked to development of dry eyes and digital eyestrain, which can cause significant symptoms of uncomfortable eyes, blurred vision, headache and red eyes.
Are screens different to books?
According to mykidsvision.org, children and adults appear to hold screens closer than books and print material. This increases the visual demand on the eyes’ focussing system.
Digital eye strain may be suffered by up to 50% of people who use screens. Backlit e-readers also appear to cause more visual fatigue symptoms compared to paper books.
One of the main challenges of screens to the visual system is how close they are held and for how long they are used. Research has shown that children who read or wrote at a distance closer than 20cm showed faster progression, or worsening, of their myopia. This same impact occurred when reading for more than 45 minutes without a break.
Read more about how iPhones and iPads can be set to prevent viewing at closer than 30cm.
Negative impact on learning
“Poor vision has a tremendous negative impact on a child’s ability to learn. With poor vision a child struggles to see the board or other classroom presentations, following distant objects used in sports or recognising individuals far away. The child may struggle not only in his educational progress, but also behaviourally and socially.” This is the opinion of Dr Helga Abrahamse-Pillay, president of Saspos.
She says myopia often develops and presents during childhood and may worsen up to the age of about 20, yet could also first develop in adulthood.
Myopia manifests as clear vision for nearby objects but blurry vision for distant ones. Its primary cause often lies in elongated eyeballs, leading light to focus improperly on the retina (the back of the eye).
According to Dr Ed Anderson, president of SASCRS, although myopia is complex, there is significant evidence that many people inherit the tendency to develop myopia.
“If one or both parents are nearsighted, there is an increased chance their children will be nearsighted.”
“However, individuals who spend considerable time reading, working at a computer, playing video games or doing other intense close visual work, or those who have uncorrected refractive errors such as astigmatism, especially when there is an underlying genetic risk, are more likely to develop myopia.”
Anderson says although South African data lacks, it is important for parents and schools to look out for the signs and symptoms and to seek assistance for children.
“An optometrist or ophthalmologist will be able to test your eyes to identify the underlying problem. It is highly recommended that any child identified as having difficulty seeing the board at school or television at home, see a professional as soon as possible.”
Options for correction
Once diagnosed, several options exist to correct vision impairment and ensure optimal sight. The two main options to regain clear distance vision are:
- Spectacles – For most people with myopia, spectacles are a successful first choice for correction.
- Contact lenses – Depending on age, contact lenses may be more suitable to some individuals.
Other options for adults are also available, such as laser surgery or implantable lenses.
However, one of the best strategies to prevent myopia, or at least slow its progression is to encouraging outdoor activities and reducing near-work and screen time.
You must be logged in to post a comment.