Overexposure to screen time among the young increases the chances of myopia. With a recent study revealing the dangers of myopia, experts warned young children to limit their use of devices and spend more time outdoors.
The research, which involved 3,35, 524 participants, revealed that about 40 per cent of children and adolescents worldwide could have myopia by 2050.
For those, who already had the condition, an additional hour of screen time was associated with 54 per cent higher odds of developing more issues.
What is myopia?
Myopia or nearsightedness is when you can see objects that are near clearly but have difficulty seeing objects that are farther away. It is a condition that develops during childhood and adolescence.
Symptoms of myopia
1. Blurry vision
2. Difficulty in looking at distant objects. May partially close the eyelids to see clearly
3. Headaches
4. Eyestrain
5. Blinking often
6. Rubbing the eyes often
When does the condition become an emergency?
Nearsightedness or myopia is associated with an increased risk of retinal detachment. If the following symptoms occur then emergency medical assistance should be sought:
1. Sudden appearance of many floaters, that look like small specks, dots, circles or cobwebs in your field of vision.
2. Flashes of light in one or both eyes
3. Appearance of shadow in your side vision
4. Gray shadow hindering your field of vision
Risk factors
1. Nearsightedness tends to run in families.
2. Doing close-up activities including reading for a long time
3. Devices screen time: The use of computers or smart devices for long periods has a greater risk of developing nearsightedness
