When you are nearsighted (Myopia), you can see items close to you, but those further away seem hazy. This is because light rays bend (refract) in the wrong direction due to the eye’s shape., resulting in pictures being focused in front of your retina rather than on your retina. Myopia is a condition that causes blurred vision and may result in significant sight-threatening eye conditions. Myopia is often diagnosed in childhood due to the eye developing abnormally long from the front to the rear of the head (axial length). To view distant things, such as a school board, a television across the room, or a wall clock, is problematic in Myopia. In childhood and adolescence, nearsightedness symptoms generally worsen. Nearsightedness is a hereditary disorder.

What Causes Myopia?

Myopic youngsters have been considerably increasing during the previous 20 years. It is estimated that up to 90 percent of children in Asia are myopic. The number of children with Myopia in the United States will rise from 39 million in 2020 to 45 million by 2050. A variety of things may play a role in this:

Wearing glasses daily may increase the risk of Myopia worsening in certain people. Glasses should only be used sometimes by a youngster with low Myopia for watching television or participating in sports. When doing close vision activities such as reading, writing, or completing schoolwork, glasses with mild Myopia are not required to be worn. On the other hand, children with moderate to severe Myopia must wear their glasses for close and far vision; therefore, this issue cannot be managed in their situation.

In addition, wearing corrective glasses with a complete correction may hasten the growth of Myopia. A youngster with a refractive defect of -2.5 diopter may be prescribed an under-corrected lens with a diopter of -2.25 or -2.0 diopter by certain eye physicians. Because providing the complete optical prescription of -2.5 may result in much sharper vision, but it may also increase Myopia over time, it is preferable to prescribe under correction. Myopia worsens due to natural eye development when the eye matures and changes shape. Myopia usually progresses and worsens throughout the adolescent years and then plateaus by the time the kid reaches the age of twenty. The age at which the eye stops developing is usually about 20.

Myopia advancement is influenced by genetics, mainly if both parents are myopic.

Research has indicated that children with less outside playtime are more likely to develop Myopia later in life. This is especially true if the kid spends less than 1-2 hours per day outdoors. Outdoor playtime is vital for children with Myopia because it allows the eye muscles to rest and recover from the strain of continually focused activities. The usage of digital gadgets for an extended period has been connected to Myopia advancement. Children spend much time on cell phones, tablets, computers, and other electronic devices. Long-term use of digital gadgets may put excessive pressure on a child’s concentrating abilities, resulting in eyestrain and the advancement of Myopia (shortsightedness). Myopia advancement has been linked to the performance of prolonged close vision tasks of any sort, including reading, writing, computer usage, smartphone use, and other similar activities.

How To Prevent Myopia by Practicing Good Eye Hygiene & Limiting Screen Time?

Take care not to take your vision for granted. Follow these simple instructions to keep your eyes healthy:

• Eat a Healthy Diet and Stop Smoking

The first step is to eat a healthy diet. Vitamins C and E and omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and copper may help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Cataracts are a common side effect of smoking. So even if you have tried and failed to change a habit in the past, do not give up!

• Wearing sunglasses is a good idea

Choosing the right pair of sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UV) is simple. Overexposure to UV radiation is a known cause of cataracts and macular degeneration in humans.

Your sunglasses should block UVA and UVB rays to 99 percent to 100 percent. Wraparound lenses may be used to block off light from the sides. There are no additional safety advantages to wearing sunglasses with polarized coatings, even if they reduce glare on the road. Contact lenses may need UV protection if you wear them. However, it would help if you still used sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays while outside in bright conditions.

• Wear protective eyewear

If you are working with hazardous or airborne materials, always use eye protection. Several sports, such as racquetball, lacrosse, and ice hockey, may cause eye injuries. Your eyes will be more protected if you use goggles when swimming. In addition, lenses made of polycarbonate in sports goggles or helmets protect the wearer’s eyes from debris.

• Keep Your Eyes Off of the Computer Monitor

Before using your glasses or contacts for computer-screen viewing, ensure your prescription is up-to-date and correct. Consider getting computer glasses if your eye strain continues to worsen. The monitor’s top should be level with your eyes’ horizon. As a result, you may view the screen from a lower vantage point than you would otherwise. Keep windows and light fixtures out of the picture. Obtain a screen with a lower reflectivity if required. Comfortable and supportive chairs are the best choice. Your feet should always remain level on the ground while using it. Using artificial tears or blinking more often might help alleviate dry eye symptoms. Every 20 minutes, close your eyes. Examine everything within 20 feet for 20 seconds. Then take 15-minute breaks every two hours.

• Make Regular Visits to the Optometrist

Annual eye exams are advised for everyone, including kids. Your eyes are protected, and you can see at their best. An eye exam may identify glaucoma, for example, with no symptoms. Early detection is crucial to the treatment’s effectiveness since it makes treatment more accessible.

Some Surprising Facts about Myopia – 9 Statistics That Reveal The Dangers of Myopia

Following are some of the most astonishing effects of Myopia that inform us how dangerous it can be:

1. One-third of the US population has Myopia (nearsightedness).
2. While you spend a significant amount of time concentrating your eyes on closed things, such as when reading, writing, or potentially using hand-held devices like smartphones and tablets, you run the increased risk of developing shortsightedness associated with these practices.
3. Because shortsightedness is known to run in families, having one or both short-sighted parents increases your risk of developing the condition. More than 40 short-sightedness-related genes have been discovered so far.
4. The issue typically begins around puberty and worsens until the eye is entirely developed, although it may occasionally occur in youngsters as young as six months old.
5. Children who spend time playing outdoors are less likely to develop shortsightedness or have their shortsightedness worsen.
6. Myopic eyes have an increased risk of retinal detachment or glaucoma with a significant refractive error (Myopia).
7. In Asia, the prevalence of Myopia is significantly greater. Up to 80% of the population is Myopic in certain nations.
8. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is linked to a higher IQ!
9. These are some of the most telling indicators that your kid has a sharp vision:

• Due to difficulty reading the whiteboard, kids must sit at the front of the class.
• Proximity to the TV
• Headaches or fatigued eyes are common complaints.
• Scratching their eyes all the time

It is aggravating when your eyes start to hurt. However, when you rest your eyes or take other measures to ease your eye irritation, the problem usually goes away. As a result, if these techniques do not alleviate your eyestrain, you may suffer from an eye condition, such as an eye muscle imbalance. An ophthalmologist, a doctor specializing in medical and surgical eye care, should be consulted if a patient suffers dry, red eyes or eye discomfort.