By Dr. Greg Carnevale
Chief Medical Officer
UnitedHealthcare
Eye health is an important factor in our overall well-being. Yet 65.4% of Connecticut children don’t regularly see an eye doctor.1 With many kids out of school for the summer, screen time may add up quickly and potentially contribute to health issues, making it a great time to shine a spotlight on vision health.
That can include a focus on preventing or treating nearsightedness, also known as myopia, which affects our ability to see far-away objects clearly. The onset of myopia in childhood has been linked to a greater risk of developing serious eye diseases later in life, including cataracts, glaucoma, and myopic macular degeneration.2
Unfortunately, nearsightedness is on the rise, affecting around 42% of all Americans nationwide, up significantly over the last few decades.3 By 2050, it is projected that 50% of people worldwide will be nearsighted.4
While nearsightedness can be a hereditary condition, reduced outdoor time and increased hours on near work, including using digital devices at close range, have also been linked to an earlier onset of this condition.
In an increasingly digital world, it’s more important than ever to be aware of this growing issue and how to address it. This is especially true for kids. According to an international research study, children who spend most of their time on both a smartphone and a computer may have an 80% higher risk of developing myopia.5
That is why it’s important to consider ways to support eye health for you and your family. Here are some tips:
Reduce excessive blue light exposure. Research is showing the potential health implications of excessive exposure to blue light,6 including disrupted sleep cycles and digital eye strain.7
Nearly 60% of U.S. adults report experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain8 with Americans spending an average of 7 hours per day interacting with screens.9
Remember to keep digital devices at least 30 inches from your eyes to help reduce blue light exposure. A good rule of thumb is to follow the 20-20-20 rule, which recommends that after 20 minutes of computer work, people take 20 seconds to look at something that’s approximately 20 feet away. Lastly, make sure to spend ample time outdoors, which research has shown may reduce the risk of nearsightedness.
Watch for warning signs of myopia. Some common symptoms that may indicate nearsightedness include far-away objects appearing blurry while close-by items are clear, squinting to see properly, eye strain and even headaches.10
For parents and caretakers, it’s important to remember that children may not know they have a vision problem, so pay attention to indicators like frequent squinting and head tilting to read or watch TV, reduced performance at school, a shortened attention span, frequent eye rubbing, losing their place while reading or constant blinking.11
Get a comprehensive eye exam and consider myopia management if needed. If you think you or a loved one may be experiencing vision issues or if you’re a frequent computer user, make sure to visit an eye doctor and get a comprehensive eye exam. These types of exams can detect health problems that a simple vision screening may miss, including conditions not usually associated with the eyes like diabetes and some types of cancer.12
For parents and caretakers, it’s important to schedule comprehensive eye exams for children – even if they get their vision checked at school. A school’s vision check is not a substitute because those screenings usually focus on measuring acuity levels and might miss some common conditions. Ideally, kids should get annual comprehensive eye exams throughout their school years.
While eye doctors can’t cure nearsightedness, they can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to help you see clearly again. And if you or a family member is diagnosed with this condition, specialized treatment plans may help slow the progression.
Maintaining good eye health is an important step everyone can take to support their overall well-being and may help prevent or slow the onset or progression of nearsightedness and other vision conditions.