Nearsightedness a Growing Problem
A professor of vision and optometry at the University of California-Berkley is worried the country in experiencing a nearsightedness epidemic. Christine Wildsoet believes technology, especially on ‘children’s eyesight’, may be the cause.
By looking at iPads, cellphones and gaming screens, children are developing nearsightedness earlier in life which worsens later in life.
It’s a worldwide epidemic and something that has seen a shift in the last 30 years. Kids are doing more close-up work and spending more time indoors which reduces their ability to focus on things farther away.
In 1970, 25% of 12-54 year olds had nearsightedness, now it’s around 40%, a big jump.
Other countries like Asia where school starts earlier and last longer, nearsightedness is rising faster.
Nearsightedness is not genetic, if parents have it, it doesn’t mean children will have it too. There are surgeries to correct the problem but they can be expensive, the best way to try and combat nearsightedness is to go outdoors more.
There is the 20-20-20 rule: For every 20 minutes of close-up activity look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It gives your eyes a break and your mind too.
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