Have you ever seen your child squinting while reading or sitting too close to the TV or computer? Well, if you have, you’re not alone. Many kids are doing the same thing, and there’s a reason for it.
Something called “myopia,” which means being nearsighted, has become more common in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even worse. Studies show that because children spent a lot of time indoors during lockdowns and used digital devices more often, we now have what some experts are calling an “epidemic” of myopia.
The World Health Organization says that about 30% of people worldwide have myopia, and it might increase to a whopping 50% by the year 2050. That’s a problem because having myopia when you’re a kid makes it more likely that you could have serious eye problems like macular degeneration and glaucoma when you grow up.
Even though some people inherit myopia, there’s evidence that spending less time outside and more time staring at screens can make it worse.
If your child’s myopia is getting worse fast, you can contact our optometrist in Brampton West. They can help slow it down or even stop it, so your child can see better and have a happier life.
What Is The Connection Between Screen Time and Myopia?
Now, let’s talk about why too much screen time might be connected to myopia. Eye doctors have been thinking that spending too much time looking at screens can make myopia happen or get worse, but they don’t know exactly how.
Here’s what they do know: when kids do a lot of “near work” like using a computer or reading, their eyes might change shape. Instead of being round and healthy, they can become more like an elongated shape that causes myopia.
At the same time, scientists are trying to figure out if kids who spend at least 2 hours a day outside have less myopia because they’re not looking at screens or because they’re looking at things in the distance or because the sun is helping somehow.
Also Read : Why Glasses Are Not the Solution for Progressive Myopia
How to Prevent Your Child From Developing Myopia
Now, how can you stop your child from getting myopia or making it worse? Well, there’s an old saying that goes, “Everything in moderation.” That means you should limit how much time your kids spend looking at screens. Here are some tips:
- Decide how much time they can use screens each day, but remember to be flexible, especially for schoolwork.
- Make it a family rule. Everyone, including parents, should try to use screens less.
- Use apps and software that set time limits for video games and websites.
- Do fun things as a family that don’t involve screens, like going to the library or the park.
- Make sure your child gets an eye checkup every year.
Now, what if your child already has myopia? Well, glasses and contact lenses can help them see better, but they won’t stop myopia from getting worse. Surgery is not an option for kids because their eyes are still growing, and myopia that gets worse quickly can lead to eye diseases when they’re older.
But don’t worry, there’s a way to slow down or even stop myopia from getting worse. It’s called myopia management, and it’s been proven to work. How well it works depends on how bad your child’s myopia is, their age, and what the eye doctor recommends.
The key to managing myopia is catching it early, so don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with Westpoint Optical in Brampton West to help protect your child’s eyesight.
Now, let’s answer some common questions about myopia:
Q: How does an eye doctor check for myopia?
A: They do a refraction assessment test to see which lenses help you see best and an eye health exam to make sure your eyes are healthy.
Q: What are the long-term risks of myopia?
A: The worse your myopia is, the higher the risk of serious eye problems when you’re older, like retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Myopia management can help slow it down and protect your eyes as you grow up.