More than one-third of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from nearsightedness.

The largest study ever conducted has revealed that more than one-third of children and adolescents globally are nearsighted, and this number is projected to exceed 740 million by 2050.

These alarming figures have sparked calls to limit screen time and increase physical activity for children.

The relationship between nearsightedness and screen time.

Myopia is not just a vision problem; it also reflects a modern lifestyle that is profoundly affecting children's health.

According to Bhavin Shah, a myopia specialist at Central Vision Opticians (UK), one of the key factors contributing to myopia in children is working at close distances for extended periods.

Bhavin Shah said: “When children constantly focus their eyes on objects at close range, such as books or digital device screens, their eyes are forced to constantly adjust. This prolonged focusing has been shown to accelerate the progression of myopia. And when children hold the device too close to their eyes for extended periods, this becomes even more severe.”

Professor Chris Hammond, a pediatric ophthalmologist and consultant at the NHS Trust Guy's and St Thomas (UK), adds that, in addition to genetics, the two main causes of myopia are frequent close-range work and lack of outdoor activity time.

Notably, "close-up work" isn't limited to using electronic devices; it also includes traditional academic activities. Shah notes, "Even reading too much, especially holding books too close to the face, can be a factor in making children more susceptible to nearsightedness."

Furthermore, several recent studies indicate that: “The lockdown period due to the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with a surge in screen time and a lack of outdoor activity, has led to a significant increase in myopia cases among children.”

Professor Hammond further emphasized that myopia has long been a serious problem in East Asian urban areas. He stated, “The rate of myopia among teenagers reached 90%, even before screen devices became widespread. This may be related to an overloaded academic education system from an early age.”

He concluded: “While further research is needed, it is clear that spending too much time indoors, focusing on close objects, and a lack of natural light have contributed to the worsening of myopia. Therefore, limiting screen time, especially for young children, is a reasonable and necessary measure.”

According to Shah: “Many parents still consider nearsightedness simply a matter of ‘wearing glasses and being done with it,’ without realizing that progressive nearsightedness can increase the risk of serious eye diseases in adulthood, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, or cataracts.”

Furthermore, Shah argues that the healthcare industry also needs to shift its mindset from "treating" to "controlling" myopia. He says, "We need to make more widely available modern treatment options such as slow-adjusting lenses, Ortho-K, or multifocal contact lenses, which help slow the rate of myopia progression instead of simply correcting vision."

Dr. Annegret Dahlmann-Noor, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital (UK), points out a deeper challenge: “Modern urban lifestyles are leaving children with less and less exposure to the outdoors, a crucial factor in slowing the onset and progression of myopia.”

With the increasing rate of nearsightedness in children, what can parents do to help prevent their children from developing this condition?

When discussing simple yet effective measures to prevent and slow the progression of myopia in children, Professor Chris Hammond stated: "Young children need exposure to natural light, at least 14 hours a week outdoors, whether playing sports, strolling, or simply enjoying nature."

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of controlling screen time, especially in the early years of life:

- Children under 2 years old: should be completely protected from screen devices.

- Children aged 2 to 5 years: no more than 1 hour per day.

- For children aged 6 to 12: limit to 2 hours per day.

Alongside controlling screen time, proper guidance on device usage habits is also necessary. He advises: "A simple rule that parents can teach their children is the 20-20-20 rule, which means that after every 20 minutes of reading or looking at a screen, children should look away at a distance of about 6 meters for at least 20 seconds to rest their eyes."

Professor Hammond particularly encourages parents to proactively create healthy lifestyle habits with their children, such as stepping away from screens, turning off the TV, putting away phones, and going for walks, bike rides, or playing sports together. This is not only good for children's eyesight, but also reduces the risk of obesity, improves physical fitness, and strengthens family bonds.

Finally, if there is a family history of nearsightedness, regular eye exams are crucial: “In cases where there is a genetic predisposition, have your child's eyesight checked at least once a year for early detection and timely intervention.”