Yearly Eye Exams Diagnose Nearsightedness Early in Children

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is affecting more children and young people than ever before due to increased near work and use of digital devices.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long from front to back or when the cornea is overly curved, causing the eye to be out of focus and distant objects appear blurry. Nearsightedness is a growing problem globally, and scientists claim it is reaching epidemic proportions.

By 2050, half the world’s population (about five billion people) will be near-sighted and one billion will be at risk for blindness. The areas where myopia is most prevalent include South Korea, China, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, at 80 to 90 percent.

Why Are More People Myopic Today Than in the Past?

Several factors affect whether someone will be myopic.

Genetics and Heredity

No single gene codes for myopia; however, you are at higher risk if one or both of your parents are nearsighted. In many cases, though, a child can develop myopia when neither parent has myopia.

Nearsightedness usually begins between the ages of 6 and 14 and progresses through the early 20s.

Screen Time on Digital Devices

Environment also influences whether someone is nearsighted. Children are spending more time on screens and digital devices, and it is contributing to eye problems. Distorted visual input can lead to enlarged and elongated eyes, which can cause an increase in eye growth and result in blurry vision. This elongation increases nearsightedness, making distant objects blurry.

Amount of Time Spent on Near Work

Another factor that affects myopia is how much time people spend focusing on something within one arm’s length of their faces. Increased amounts of near work make children more likely to develop nearsightedness. Examples of near work include reading, doing crafts, drawing or painting.

Spending Less Time Outside

Staying indoors can affect the risk of nearsightedness. A study in Leipzig, Germany, analyzed 1,437 children between the ages of 3 and 18. Children who only ventured outdoors once a week were four times more prone to developing nearsightedness than children who spent time outside two or more times a week.

Identifying Symptoms and Treating Myopia Early

You might be curious about how to identify if your child is nearsighted. Look for symptoms like squinting or covering one eye. Often, teachers may be the first to notice a child is myopic if he or she cannot see the board at school. Holding objects close or sitting near to a television can also be telltale signs of near-sightedness.

Research shows high myopia can increase the lifetime risk of vision impairment. Untreated nearsightedness or severe myopia can make people more likely to develop eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment and macular degeneration. Each of these eye diseases can cause vision loss. Therefore, nations such as the United Kingdom, China and many U.S. states require students to undergo vision tests as part of their schooling.

Creating Healthy Parameters for Using Digital Devices

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, a time to emphasize the importance of eye health and disease prevention. Parents play a vital role in their children’s eye health. Consider placing limits on-screen time and encourage children to use screens in shared spaces like living rooms and kitchens.

It is also important for children and adults to take regular breaks from screens. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests following the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, pause for 20 seconds to focus on an object that is at a distance of at least 20 feet.

In the evening, choose a set time that everyone puts away digital devices for the evening. Using phones and tablets before bed can disrupt the circadian rhythm and affect sleep cycles.

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam Before the End of the Year

Scheduling yearly comprehensive eye exams with dilation is a great choice for maintaining your family’s vision health. Regular eye exams help diagnose myopia, refractive errors and eye diseases.

Family history can make you more susceptible to certain eye problems, so make sure to talk to your doctor to determine your risk of developing a disease or condition. The year is quickly ending, so call your eye doctor to schedule an appointment.