Myopia In Kids: A recent study has revealed that after the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of myopia in children have increased significantly. Now one in every three children suffers from myopia. Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a problem in which there is difficulty in seeing distant objects. It is estimated that by the year 2050, cases of myopia in children can reach 74 crores. In this article, we will learn about the causes and prevention methods of myopia (Tips to Prevent Myopia).

What is the reason for increasing myopia in children?

According to the study, the reason behind the increase in myopia cases is long screen time. There was no option to go out during the lockdown imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, everything from children's studies to entertainment happened through mobile phones or computers. Even after the lockdown, most of the children's time is spent in front of the phone or computer. Due to this, their screen time has increased a lot.

Excessive screen time also causes problems like eye strain, redness and dryness , which can harm the eyes. Apart from excessive screen time, there can be some other factors which can cause myopia, such as-

• Genetics – If one or both parents have myopia, their children are more likely to have it as well.
• Lack of outdoor activities- Playing outside and being in the sun gives rest to the eyes and reduces the risk of myopia. But lack of it causes damage to the eyes.
• Reading in low light- Reading in low light or using the phone puts more strain on the eyes, which can cause myopia.

Ways to prevent myopia

It may be difficult to completely prevent myopia, especially if there is a family history of it. However, its effects can be reduced by taking some measures, such as-

• Promote outdoor activities- Encourage children to play outside for at least 2-3 hours every day.
• Limiting screen time – Computer, tablet and smartphone use should not exceed 2 hours per day.
• Resting your eyes- Follow the 20-20-20 rule to rest your eyes regularly. That is, after every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Reading in proper light- Ensure that the lighting in the child’s room is proper while studying and do not let them use the phone in the dark.
• Regular eye check-ups are important – It is important to get children’s eyes checked regularly so that early symptoms of myopia can be detected and proper treatment can be done.
• Pay attention to nutrition- child's diet should be rich in Vitamin A, D, E and Omega-3 fatty acids .
• Doing eye exercises- Some eye exercises can also help prevent myopia. These may include rolling the eyes, resting with closed eyes, and focusing on distant objects.