Warning from experts: The generation that grew up with screens cannot see far
Myopia stands out as one of the most common visual disorders in children.
This disorder, which usually occurs between the ages of 5 and 16, develops when the eyeball elongates more than normal. This causes the image to focus in front of the retina, causing distant objects to appear blurry. It is stated that a combination of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors play a role in the development of myopia. Spending long periods in front of a screen, working while focusing on near objects, and decreased time spent outdoors are among the main factors that trigger myopia. Cases of school-age myopia, the most common type, are increasing with factors such as rising education levels, increased use of digital devices, stress, and insufficient exposure to sunlight. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that 50 percent of the world's population may be myopic by 2050. Emphasizing that with the advancement of technology in the 2020s, children will be spending more time at home, İzmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital Ophthalmology Specialist Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Akay, Ph.D., said, "Children are spending more time on tablets, computers, and cell phones. This has increased the prevalence of myopia. For example, while the rate of myopia was around 25 percent in the past, it rose to 36 percent in the 2000s. This rate is expected to reach 40 percent by 2050. The rise in myopia is primarily due to reduced exposure to sunlight and prolonged screen time in urban settings. While this rate is lower in rural areas, the rate of myopia increases with increasing urban life and time spent indoors. Therefore, the time children spend outdoors should be increased, and screen time should be limited. While it's not possible to prevent screen use completely, a certain time limit can be set. For example, reward systems like, 'You can play on your cell phone for one hour, but you must play outside for two hours.'" Akay noted that because children don't know how to read or write before they enter school age, it can be more difficult to understand visual impairments. He added, "However, certain symptoms should be closely monitored. For example, a child might want to watch the television very closely, squint, constantly touch their eyes with their hands, and continue to look at devices like tablets very closely. Symptoms such as watering or redness in the eyes might also be observed. These symptoms indicate a vision impairment in the child. If these impairments are not recognized and corrected in time, they can lead to a permanent problem called 'amblyopia.' If left untreated, amblyopia can last a lifetime. Some vision impairments, especially after the average age of 7-8 in girls and 8-9 in boys, become permanent if left untreated. Therefore, glasses should be started early, and patching therapy should be applied if necessary."
Akay, who stated that parents should definitely consult an ophthalmologist when they notice such symptoms in their children, concluded his remarks as follows: "The first eye examination is performed approximately 40 days after birth, and screening is performed for certain diseases such as cataracts or retinopathy. Subsequently, children should definitely undergo another eye examination when they reach the age of 2-3 or during preschool. The rate of myopia has risen to approximately 30 percent. The rate of hyperopia is around 5-6 percent. While the rate of wearing glasses was lower in the past, today three out of every 10 children in schools wear them. Girls, especially those aged 14-15, are discouraged by glasses due to aesthetic concerns, so they opt for contact lenses. However, this issue is less prevalent in boys."
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