Childhood myopia or nearsightedness is a growing concern worldwide. It occurs when the eyeball elongates, causing close objects to appear clear but distant objects to appear blurry. Prolonged near-work, lack of outdoor activities and genetics contribute to its development. If left untreated, childhood myopia can lead to severe vision impairment and increased risk of eye diseases later in life. It wasn’t a big issue earlier but now myopia is becoming a public health concern which is affecting young children and increasing rapidly than before. Understanding why this is happening means looking at both inherited and lifestyle-driven factors.
In a conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr Priyanka Singh (MBBS, MS, DNB, FAICO), Consultant & Eye Surgeon, Neytra Eye Centre, New Delhi explained why childhood myopia is increasing.
Genetics Role
Myopia often runs in families. If one parent is myopic, the child’s risk increases. If both parents are affected, the chances increases. Research suggests that genes affect how the eye grows, genetic variation can cause the eyeball to elongate, leading to blurred distance vision. But heredity alone cannot explain the steep rise in cases worldwide.
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Lifestyle Connection
Lifestyle shifts, especially increased screen time and reduced outdoor activity are the major contributors. Children today spend hours on digital devices for schoolwork and recreation. Research confirms that intense “near work” whether reading, gaming, or scrolling on screens puts considerable strain on developing eyes, causing myopia to appear earlier and progress way faster. Outdoor play, on the other hand, has been found to protect young eyes. Multiple studies indicate that exposure to natural light for at least 90 to 120 minutes a day slows abnormal eye growth. Yet, urban living, exam pressure and shrinking outdoor spaces are depriving children of this natural safeguard.
The stakes are higher than many realise. According to the World Health Organisation, by 2050, nearly 50% of the global population will be myopic, with a large portion of cases beginning in childhood. Early onset matters: Children who become myopic at a young age are more likely to develop severe vision problems later in life, raising the risks of sight-threatening complications like retinal detachment and glaucoma.
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What can parents do?
But there is a hope-it’s just not about genetics, but everyday choices also. Here’s how parents can take action:
Prioritise annual eye checkups for early detection.
Encourage outdoor play daily for at least one to two hours.
Setting screen boundaries is necessary.
Also, the 20-20-20 rule which means every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
A diet rich in vitamins A, C and Omega-3 will help in maintaining overall eye health.