Myopia is increasing in children: Screen time control is essential

In recent years, the widespread use of technological devices and increased screen time have lowered the age at which myopia is detected in children and increased its severity. Specialist Dr. Tahsin Erdal Kabadere states that myopia, which used to be detected around 8-10 years of age, is now seen at much younger ages and in higher degrees.

One of the main causes of myopia is close work and exposure to intense blue light. Parents should be aware of the serious eye diseases that high myopia can cause later in life.

Screen Time Increases Myopia

Dr. Kabadere states that the most important environmental factor in the increase of myopia is digitalization and intensive screen use:

"With urbanization, children are spending more time at home in front of screens instead of outside. The more screen time they spend, the more myopia is prevalent."

Screen ban for children

Specialist Dr. Kabadere offers the following advice to parents to prevent children from starting to wear glasses at a very young age:

0-3 years old: Never show tablets, phones or computers.

3-6 years: allowed for a maximum of half an hour.

Ages 6 and up: A limit of approximately 1 hour can be set.

Families should not give their children devices to distract or entertain them.

Sunlight is good

Dr. Kabadere draws attention to the effect of sunlight on slowing down the progression of myopia:

"We want children to be exposed to 1.5-2 hours of daylight a day. We recommend that they spend time outside, not sitting at home. This will slow down the rate of increase in myopia."

MYOPIA

According to World Health Organization data, approximately 30% of the world's population is currently myopic, and this rate is increasing. It is estimated that 50% of the world will be myopic by 2050.

Dr. Kabadere evaluates myopia according to degree:

Number 0-5: low-normal

Above 6 numbers: high myopia

High myopia can lead to risky conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal tears in later life. The lower the degree of myopia, the lower the risk of developing these conditions.

Source: IHA