Shedding light on Myopia
Warning from the experts: Be aware of the epidemic you don't see coming. Pic by M.D. Nissanka
Statistically, more students today strain at blackboards and more pilots squint at the horizon- than ever before.
Myopia- commonly known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness- has elevated itself into a major epidemic today- with 2 billion of the world’s population being prey to either high myopia or its milder form. By 2050, the myopic population can rise up to a staggering 5 billion, a prospect sparking much concern among eye care professionals.
At an exclusive interview with MediScene, Vision Care Optical Services, together with Essilor- the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company- brought together leading authorities in eye care, highlighting the importance of being aware of the ‘epidemic you don’t see coming’- both in terms of prevention and mitigating its gradual progression.
Heading the table were Maarten Geraets- Chief Executive Officer for Essilor South Asia, and Dr. Anna Yeo- Associate Director in the Education and Professional Services (EPS), Essilor AMERA (Asia Pacific, Middle East, Russia and Africa).
Myopia cannot be cured once the patient is afflicted- though its further progress could be withheld when detected early.
In relatively earlier days, seeing as the condition was particularly virulent in countries like Korea, Singapore, China or Taiwan, the Far Eastern peoples were thought to be genetically prone to Myopia.
Later research however was to prove that preceding generations of these peoples had had no such affliction- prevalence among them being on par with the other parts of the world.
One of the real causes, is the growing dependence on technology- with the younger generations especially spending too much time in front of screens- TVs, computers or hand held devices.
But the causa prima, says Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Amila de Alwis, is that we are no longer exposed enough to natural light. Study, work and pleasure all tend to unravel indoors- mostly screened away from sunlight.
In countries such as Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore, 80% of those aged 18 are myopic. In Sri Lanka, the proportion still hovers around 30%, but it is heading towards much higher numbers.
Insidiously, Myopia in children can directly affect their confidence and studies.
Prof. Maduwanthi Dissanayake, Consultant Ophthalmologist attached to the Colombo Medical Faculty, says that, unfortunately, many people find out that they are myopic too late- when the only hope is to check further progressions that can lead to such serious states as myopic macular degeneration and glaucoma- even vision impairment and blindness in later life.
Kumari S. Fonseka- Group Director, Eye Care and Research Development of Vision Care Group of companies, outlined that prevention remains the best solution.
Among the best precautions is to limit screen time- and to play outside in natural light. Studies done in Taiwan and China indicate that exercising and outdoor activities have prevented children from being myopic.
Says Dr. Amila de Alwis: “Early detection in childhood is crucial. Like with anything to do with children, the sooner you detect the better results you will get.”
Parents tend to keep young children occupied with handheld devices or the TV- a ‘blessing’ for the modern working mother- but the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and the CPS (Canadian Pediatric Society) advise strongly against such practices.
In their joint guidelines they have specified the following.
Children under the age of 2 should not be exposed to any screen time including TV, smart-phone and tablets.
For children aged 2 to 4 screen time limited to less than 1 hour a day; and age 5 and above- no more than two hours daily.
Parents are also advised to break up the time their children spend in front of the TV or using hand held tech devices with intervals of 20 to 30 minutes per session.
In addition it is vital that young children continue to be active and participate in interactive play to support their gross and fine motor coordinative social and communication development.
Essilor’s involvement with Myopia is twofold, say Maarten Geraets and Dr. Anna Yeo.
The first is to delay the onset- working together with eye care professionals. The second is to hold back progression.
The second stage, says Anna, is done through progressive lenses and bifocal lenses. With these Essilor can mitigate and correct the effects of Myopia.
Yet the most important factor remains raising awareness- “so as to prevent- as there’s no definite cure”.
If we are to pare down the approximated 5 billion myopic patients in the coming thirty years, Dr. Maduwanthi says, we have to work together. “The ophthalmologist alone can’t do this. We need the optometrist, the industry- everyone has to come together.”
Your own baby step, of a regular checkup or absorbing more of the outdoors, too can go a long way.