According to a study done by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, 17 percent of children or one out of six children aged between five-15 years are suffering from myopia. The UN data says that countries where myopia prevalence was estimated and measured as low in the past, such as India, will have major increases by 2050.
The Myopia Awareness Week, set for May 23-28 each year, aims to bring attention to the global epidemic of short-sightedness cases in children. The theme this year is: Make your Eye Moves. On this day experts spoke with News9 on the reason for the rising prevalence in the country.
According to Dr. Jaidhrath Kumar, there has been a rise in cases of myopia in children in the recent past. “In the last two years, every second child who comes to us has myopia – either their power has increased or they have become myopic. The incidence is so large that we think that it is COVID-induced myopia or due to lockdown,” Dr. Kumar said.
Seconds Dr. Sandeep Kataria, consultant Ophthalmologist with Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central. “We are seeing a rise in myopia in kids. This is because their screen time has risen in the last few years. Indoor activities and reading among kids have gone up especially those till the age of 17. If a child complains of headaches or sits too close while watching TV are some signs that parents need to catch on to. Early detection of myopia can to a certain extent reduce the rise in power,” Dr. Kataria said.
Reasons for Myopia
The reason is simple. When the pandemic hit, everyone was locked in their homes. With no outdoor activity, kids took to playing games on their smartphones or laptops. Reading increased, classes went online and the amount of screen time went exponentially high.
“The kids were staring at the screens from up close. They were constantly staring at their screens. Whenever you are working on things that require closely looking at things, it induces myopia. This happens in kids the minute they are of an age where they can start reading – usually four to five years. Earlier, parents were a lot more careful. They didn’t randomly hand over gadgets to children. Now, by default, they have no choice which has led to an epidemic of myopia in kids. In the next couple of years, we are going to see many kids who will require spectacles due to myopia,” Dr. Kumar explained.
Symptoms of Myopia
Some common symptoms that a child may face are squinting of the eyes which signifies that the child is making an effort to read or see what is in front of him. Second, watery eyes mean the child has been staring at the screen for too long. Three, constantly rubbing their eyes; this means that he is unable to see things clearly and hence the rubbing. Finally, when the kid says he can’t see things.
However, if the child is quick to point out weak eyesight then myopia is preventable. “There are several things that can be done to stop the onslaught. One must sit properly – this means to sit on a chair with the books or the laptop at least 33 cm away from you. One must do eye exercises – blink your eyes several times; look away from the screen every 20 minutes for 20 seconds. One must also eat a well-balanced diet. The kids and even adults must eat a diet that is rich in vitamin A. Eating green leafy vegetables, carrots and papaya will help make good retinal cells which are good for our sight and vision,” Dr. Kumar said.
While surgery options are available, it is not for kids since they are still growing. “As kids pick up height, the eye length also grows. Surgery is only possible when the person stops growing. Myopia increases with age. Once it has started, the eyesight will deteriorate till a person is a full adult. We recommend surgery only if a person has not had a vision correction for at least six months,” Dr. Kumar said.
Dr. Sandeep Kataria
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central
To book an appointment call: 022-61784400
Source: https://www.news9live.com/health/myopia-awareness-week-2022-almost-17-children-suffer-from-it-number-will-rise-exponentially-by-2050-172395
