Globally, rates of myopia have been soaring. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, nearly half of the world’s population will be myopic. This is causing concern among experts in the field as high myopia, in particular, is associated with a heightened risk of ocular complications, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts.
This article delves into the intricacies of myopia, exploring how this refractive error impacts vision, as well as practical tips on effective management to help individuals navigate the challenges myopia poses.
Myopia explained
Simply put, myopia or nearsightedness is a visual impairment that causes a person to see distant objects less clearly. This occurs when light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of on it, often due to the eyeball being too long or the cornea having excessive curvature. In the past, myopia was believed to be a purely genetic condition, where having one parent with myopia doubles the odds of a child needing vision correction, while having two myopic parents quintuples those odds. However, recent studies show that there are several factors that increase the risk of developing myopia including excessive screen time, more schooling, prolonged near work, and a lack of outdoor exposure.
Fortunately, some treatments exist that can slow its progression or improve vision. A prevalent method of addressing myopia is through the use of corrective lenses. In contrast to the thinner lenses that farsighted individuals need, the lens thickness of glasses for those with myopia is typically thicker on the sides and thinner in the middle, which helps diverge light rays. This can make glasses heavy and uncomfortable, so opticians recommend choosing plastic-rimmed frames that hide edge thickness and are more lightweight than metal frames.
Tips for managing myopia and improving eye health
Eat eye-healthy foods
According to the American Optometric Association, adding powerful vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals to your diet can support vision and overall eye health. Nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, for instance, have been found to reduce the risk of certain serious eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. The same is also true for the compound anthyocyanides found in bilberries, blueberries, cranberries, grapes, and wild cherries. For improved eye health, consume more of the following foods: spinach, Brazil nuts, turmeric, carrots, and onions. Additionally, purslane, a leafy green vegetable, is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and can help reduce inflammation, enhance tear production, and support the eye’s oily outer layer.
Spend more time outdoors
Parents in the UK are rightfully worried about their children preferring electronic devices over outdoor play as myopia rates continuously increase nationwide among younger and younger kids. However, studies also show that increased time outdoors is effective in preventing the onset of myopia and slowing the myopic shift in refractive error. While outdoor time is not effective in slowing progression in eyes that are already myopic, being in natural light gives the eye muscles a chance to relax and focus on distant objects.
Be mindful of your screen habit
In the field of myopia management, research has shown that certain lifestyle habits can influence myopia progression. Screen time and device use, in particular, can have damaging effects on our eyes. As such, it’s important to develop healthier screen habits. This means limiting the amount of time you spend on your phone, taking hourly screen breaks, ensuring your screen is 18-24 inches away from your face, adjusting screen brightness and contrast for visual comfort, avoiding screen use where glare can affect vision, and blinking frequently to keep your eyes moist. For tasks requiring near work like reading, writing, texting, and computer use, follow the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Efforts to promote awareness, early detection, and effective management strategies are crucial to addressing rising myopia cases. We hope that by understanding the underlying factors and adopting proactive management strategies, individuals can take better care of their ocular health and ensure a clearer vision in the future.
