Myopia is a vision condition in which people can see close objects clearly, but objects farther away appear blurred. Myopia occurs if the eyeball is too long or the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is too curved.
More children are also getting diagnosed with nearsightedness at an earlier age, with some as young as six, according to the Singapore National Eye Centre. It’s an eye focus disorder that’s normally corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery.
Risk factors for nearsightedness may include:
- Positive family history of myopia.
- Spending a lot of time doing near work, like reading or using screens like those on smartphones or computers.
- Not spending a lot of time outdoors. Certain studies indicate that this may be a factor in developing myopia.
- Some groups of people have higher rates of myopia than others.
Though there’s no cure for myopia, there are tips you can take which can aid your overall eye health. These days, it’s important to set limits for your children (and yourself) on activities that lead to eye strain.
Try these sight-saving tips:
- Reduce the time spend on digital devices.
- Take visual break
- Do not read or work in dim light.
- Go outdoors and wear sunglasses when you’re outdoor
- Wear protective eye gear for sports/hobbies.
- Stop smoking.
- Have annual eye exams.